Quick and simple guide to
punctuation- part one.
APOSTROPHES
1)Used in nouns to show possession.
a) If the singular or plural version of the noun does not
end in ‘s’, or an ‘s’ sound, then an ‘s’ should be placed
after the apostrophe.
• Singular = dog, singular possessive = dog’s.
* That is my dog’s ball.
• Plural = students, plural possessive= student’s.
* The student’s grades were low.
b)If the singular ends in ‘s’ already, an additional ‘s’ is
not always needed. This is open to personal preference
but, if you wish to include an additional ‘s’ sound, then
you may wish to include it.
• Singular = Chris, singular possessive= Chris’ or
Chris’s.
* Chris’ grades were low.
c) If the plural ends in ‘s’ already, an additional ‘s’
should not be used.
• Plural = athletes, plural possessive= athletes’.
* The athletes’ racing time is yet to be
announced.
d) Some expressions relating to time, distance, and
value also use an apostrophe.
* Three months’ wages.
* In a moment’s time.
* Seven miles’ run.
e) Single and plural possessive compound nouns (a
noun of two or more parts) are created by adding an
apostrophe at the end of the compound word.
• Singular = father-in-law, singular possessive =
father-in-law’s.
* I really like my father-in-law’s car.
• Plural = brother-in-law, plural possessive=
brother-in-laws’.
* My brother-in-laws’ singing voices are far
nicer than mine.”
f) Making the last word in the series possessive can
depict joint ownership of something. Making both parts
possessive shows individual ownership.
• Joint ownership= I really like Sarah and Heath’s
apartment.
• Single ownership= Sarah’s and Heath’s level of
fitness is far superior to mine.
2) Used in indefinite pronouns to show possession.
The possessive case of indefinite pronouns is formed in
the same way as the possessive case of nouns. For
example, “Looking after the environment is everyone’s
responsibility.” “Somebody’s car is blocking the
entrance to the hospital.” NB: The exception to this rule
concerns the word it. When showing the possessive of the
personal pronoun it, no apostrophe is used. “The dog lost
its ball.”
3) Use the apostrophe with s to form the plural of
numbers, letters, signs, and symbols.
• The dancer scored straight 9’s.
• 10’s of thousands of people were evacuated.
• I can’t tell if those of O’s or 0’s.
There are two exceptions to this:
a) If the plural is clear, then the apostrophe after
upper case letters is not needed.
• I got 3 as and 2 Bs.
b) It is not necessary to use an apostrophe to create
the plurals of years, decades, or abbreviations.
• All sense of fashion disappeared in the 1990s.
• UFOs are always shaped like saucers.
• How many MBAs does it take to change a light
bulb?
Apostrophes, commas and periods.
COMMAS
1) After an adverbial clause if the dependent clause
begins the sentence. If the dependent clause is not at the
beginning of a sentence then a comma is not needed.
• Before you start the maneuver, make sure you
check your mirrors.
• Make sure you check your mirrors before you start
the maneuver.
2) After a participle phrase or an absolute phrase at the
beginning of a sentence.
• Soaring through the air, the eagle scanned the
ground for prey.
• Having missed the bus, Gary decided to walk.
3) After an introductory infinitive phrase, unless the
infinitive is the subject of the sentence.
• In order to learn English, you should practice
whenever possible.
• To learn English is a top priority for me.
4) To separate expressions, transitional words, phrases,
clauses and introductory phrases from the rest of the
sentence.
• However, we shall wait and see.
• Regardless, I am not prepared to wait.
• I cannot, for the life of me, understand why they
fired him.
• Yes, I did lock the door.
5) To distinguish a nonrestrictive clause from the rest
of the sentence, providing that it is not critical to the
meaning of the sentence.
• In December, my favorite time of the year, it is
very cold here.
• My favorite time of the year is December.
6) To distinguish an appositive (a word or phrase that
defines another word or phrase).
• My Mother, Kath, used to work here.
• Hong Kong, a vibrant city, is very humid during
the summer.
If the appositive is closely related to the word or phrase it
is defining then the comma is unnecessary.
• She is visiting her friend Charlotte.
• My aunty Mary is 90 next week.
7) To separate words that are intended as a direct
address to an individual.
• The truth, Watson, is often hard to find.
• Sarah, where have you been?
8) To separate a series of three or more words, phrases, or
clauses.
• My favorite foods are sandwiches, peanut butter,
and chocolate.
• I looked in the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom but
couldn’t find my keys.
9) To separate coordinate adjectives (the word “and” can
be used between them) which modify the same noun.
• The dog is strong, fast and fit.
• The food arrived cold, undercooked and late.
10) Before a coordinate conjunction which joins
independent clauses of a compound sentence.
• Jim wanted to go to bed, but his wife was on the
telephone.
• Make sure you are on time, or do not come at all.
• He wanted to live in the city, while his girlfriend
preferred the countryside.
Commas should not be used between two independent
clauses unless a coordinate conjunction (but, while,
and, or, nor, yet etc) is included in the sentence,
otherwise you will form a “comma splice”, which is
incorrect.
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• Karen is a mother, she works long hours.
1) To separate words or phrases that express
contrast.
• You should respect your mother, not shout at
her.
• I wanted a promotion, not more responsibility.
2) To separate month and days from the year.
• I was born on July 1st, 1978.
3) To separate different elements of a location from
one another.
• I live in Hong Kong, Asia.
• My mother lives at 3 Stanley Road,
Richmond, London.
4) To set off a quotation.
• He was reported in the newspaper as saying,
“Sorry for any problems I caused.”
• He shouted angrily, “Get out of my garden!”
5) Instead of an exclamation mark.
• Hi, how are you?
• Gees, this wasn’t what I had intended.
6) To separate an interrogative clause that
immediately follows a declarative clause.
• You’re going to be late again, aren’t you?
• She’s stunning, isn’t she?
PERIODS
1) Periods should always be used at the end of a
sentence.
2) Periods should be used after initials,
abbreviations and contracted words. E.g.
Mins.
Yrs.
A.M.
However, if the sentence ends in an abbreviation
only one period should be used.
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3) Periods should be used instead of a question
mark after an indirect question or a courteous
request.
• He asked you where you have been.(indirect
question).
• Çan you please turn the music down. (courteous
response)
4) It is generally accepted practice in US English
to place periods inside speech and quotation marks.
The rule applies if the last word is a single
quotation, but does not apply if the last item
enclosed in quotation marks is just a letter or a
number:
• He said my driving was “terrible.”
• The treasure is marked on the spot with an “X”.
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