The Power of Punctuation:

1
The Power of Punctuation

• Punctuation can completely change the meaning of
  a phrase or sentence
• Woman, without her man, is nothing.
• Woman without her, man is nothing.

2
POWER of PUNCTUATIONColons

• Use a colon to introduce a long one-sentence
  quote and quotes of two sentences or moreOur
  consultant said The situation is critical. We
  need to reduce backorders by 50 within the
  month.

3
POWER of PUNCTUATIONColons

• Use a colon after a complete thought that
  introduces a formal list (often preceded by
  these, the following, etc.)Additional costs in
  buying a house include the following land titles
  search, mortgage insurance, and legal
  fees.Collective bargaining focuses on several
  key issues cost of living, job security,
  benefits, and hours of work.

4
POWER of PUNCTUATIONDo Not Use Colons

• When the list follows a to be verb or a
  prepositionWe are buying new equipment for
  Accounting, Legal Services, and Payroll. (List
  follows preposition for) The employees on our
  list are Josh, Sheila, and Frank.

5
POWER of PUNCTUATIONSemicolons

• Use semicolons to join independent clauses, but
  only if the clauses are closely relatedTuition
  fees are deductible entertainment expenses are
  not.Some people get an education without going
  to college the rest get it after they get out.
  MARK TWAIN

6
POWER of PUNCTUATIONSemicolons

• Use semicolons with conjunctive adverbs or
  introductory expressionsI really like you
  however, I think we should just be
  friends.Commas are not the only form of
  punctuation we also have colons, semicolons, and
  apostrophes to deal with.
• Authors need to consult many sources for
  example, books, periodicals, and newspapers.

7
POWER of PUNCTUATIONSemicolons

• Use semicolons in a list with internal
  commasThe best cities to live in are Brandon,
  Manitoba Sydney, Nova Scotia and Whitehorse,
  Yukon.We invited delegates from several
  departments Dick Tracy, Security Mary Worth,
  Human Resources and Andy Cap, Accounting.

8
POWER of PUNCTUATIONUse Commas to

• Separate three or more items in a
  series(optional but recommended before
  and)Red River College has several excellent
  restaurants Prairie Lights, The Voyageur, and
  the Hard Drive Cafe.We had salad, chicken,
  rice, and dessert.

9
POWER of PUNCTUATIONUse Commas to

• Between coordinate adjectives(if the comma can
  be replaced by and)A sad, slow melody played
  in the background.A sad and slow melody played
  in the background.
• No comma used if adjectives act
  separately(cannot be replaced by and)This
  was their third secret meeting this month.

10
POWER of PUNCTUATIONUse Commas to

• Set off the names of people being addressed
  directlyWe look forward to your visit, Mr.
  Smith.Your table is waiting, Ms. Green.

11
POWER of PUNCTUATIONUse Commas to

• Restate names or titlesMy physician, Dr.
  Jensen, is very thorough.Arnold, the pastry
  chef, works most weekends.

12
POWER of PUNCTUATIONUse Commas to

• Separate two or more elements in dates,
  addresses, and geographical itemsThe
  conference was held Tuesday, December 2, 2005, in
  our Calgary head office.The letter addressed to
  Mr Chown, 512 Main Street, Red Deer, Alberta,
  should be sent today.We have branch offices in
  Brandon, Manitoba, and Kenora, Ontario.

13
POWER of PUNCTUATIONUse Commas to

• Interject commentsWe will, of course, keep
  your resume on file.It is morally correct,
  though not always popular, to tell the truth.

14
POWER of PUNCTUATIONUse Commas to

• Join independent clauses with a coordinating
  conjunction (and, or, but, nor, so)Its a
  small world, but I wouldnt want to have to paint
  it. STEVEN WRIGHT
• May not be needed with short clausesVote early
  and vote often. AL CAPONE

15
POWER of PUNCTUATIONUse Commas to

• Introduce materialAfter he looked over my
  resume, he shook his head sadly.As a matter of
  fact, I do own the road.
• Clarify meaningThose who can, do. Those who
  cant, teach. GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

16
POWER of PUNCTUATIONUse Commas to

• Begin a sentence with a dependent
  clauseBecause he wasnt listening in class,
  Hal did not understand the assignment.
• No comma if the dependent clause ends the
  sentenceHal did not understand the assignment
  because he wasnt listening in class.

17
POWER of PUNCTUATIONDo Not Use Commas

• To separate a subject from a verbEmployers
  across the globe are looking for people with
  computer skills.
• When joining short independent clausesYou were
  right and I was wrong.

18
POWER of PUNCTUATIONDo Not Use Commas

• When joining restrictive clausesYou should
  wear shoes that are comfortable.
• Use a comma with non-restrictive clausesI
  recommend that you buy shoes that are both
  comfortable and fashionable, but they can be hard
  to find.