Easy Punctuation Rules

Laurie Miller
llmiller@gmu.edu | George Mason University | 2013

Rules for Joining ICs IC + IC

1. IC, cc IC
cc = coordinating conjunction

Peter ate his steak, and his dog watched intently. Peter ate his steak; accordingly, his dog watched
intently.

Click for more information about COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS Click for more information about ADVERBIAL CONJUNCTIONS Click or information about all types of conjunctions

2. IC; adv conj, IC

adv conj = adverbial conjunction

Rules for Joining ICs IC + IC

3. IC ; IC
; = semicolon

Peter ate his steak; his dog watched intently.

=
>

A semicolon functions like an equal sign in math to show that both clauses basically express the same idea in different words or two equivalent ideas.
A colon functions like a greater than sign in math: it tells a reader that what comes after the colon is information that explains the idea in the first clause in more detail.

4. IC : IC
: = colon

Peter ate his steak: it was a juicy, 10 ounce medium-rare filet mignon.

Rules for Joining ICs & DCs

5. DC, IC
While Peter ate his steak, his dog watched intently.

6. IC DC

Peter ate his steak while his dog watched intently.

Click for more information about TYPES of DEPENDENT CLAUSES

Rules for Joining ICs & DCs

7. Restrictive
Adjective Clauses & other elements No commas
The man who gave me the book was an NFL player before becoming a judge. Alan Page, an NFL player before becoming a judge, gave me the book.
RESTRICTIVE = necessary information that is needed to identify the specific person or thing.

8. Non-restrictive
Adjective Clauses & other elements Surround with commas

NON-RESTRICTIVE = extra, unnecessary information because the person or thing is already specifically identified.
Click for more information about RESTRICTIVE & NONRESTRICTIVE elements