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Use an en dash to indicate a range of numbers
An en dash (-) is a punctuation mark used to connect a range of numbers, dates,
or time.
N = 70-90
N = 70-90
common
errors
Many nonnative authors
use a hyphen instead of
an en dash for ranges.
When an en dash is used in a range, it usually implies “up to and including.”
For example, 1-7 implies up to and including 7.
An en dash can be obtained by simultaneously pressing the “Ctrl” and “-” keys
on the number pad of your keyboard.
Use an introductory comma
An introductory comma is used to separate an introductory element from
the remaining sentence.
An introductory element can be a single word, a phrase, or even a dependent clause.
It may or may not have a grammatical connection with the rest of the sentence.
In this experiment only a single planar surface is considered.
In this experiment, only a single planar surface is considered.
common
errors
Many nonnative authors
do not use an
introductory comma.
Identifying introductory elements
For introductory words, visit our Free Downloads section for a complete list.
For introductory phrases, look out for phrases beginning with prepositions.
For dependent clauses, download a list of subordinating conjunctions from our
Free Downloads section.
Do NOT include a space before/after solidus
A solidus or slash (/) is often used to mean “and/or.”
This chapter discusses insertion / deletion mutations in detail.
This chapter discusses insertion/deletion mutations in detail.
Typically, there should be no spaces before and after a solidus.
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Use a colon to introduce a list
A colon (:) is a punctuation mark that is primarily used to introduce an explanation,
a quotation, a list, or a series.
The medical diagnosis gave three possibilities;
(1) uterine cancer
(2) uterine fibroids
(3) uterine cyst.
common
errors
Many nonnative authors
use a semicolon to
introduce a list.
The medical diagnosis gave three possibilities:
(1) uterine cancer
(2) uterine fibroids
(3) uterine cyst.
A colon should NOT be used if a list or series is introduced by an expression
such as “namely,” “for instance,” “for example,” or “that is” unless the series
consists of one or more grammatically complete sentence.
For example,
This study includes the three most critical areas, namely, energy generation,
energy conservation, and non-conventional sources of energy.
Use a comma before a which clause
A which clause conveys additional information that is non-essential to the meaning
of the main sentence. Hence, this clause must be separated from the main sentence
using a comma.
The survey which was published last year indicates the possibility of a better
5-year survival rate.
The survey, which was published last year, indicates the possibility of a better
5-year survival rate.
The use of dictionaries is not allowed which is unfair to
some of the students.
The use of dictionaries is not allowed, which is unfair to
some of the students.
common
errors
Many nonnative authors
do not use a comma
before a which clause.
To include information that is essential to the meaning of the main sentence,
use that instead of which.
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Do NOT use a colon after an incomplete sentence
A colon is always used after a complete sentence.
The experiment:
1. opened up new opportunities
2. brought him success
3. made him famous all over the world.
The experiment changed many things for him:
1. It opened up new opportunities
2. It brought him success
3. It made him famous all over the world
The experiment opened up new opportunities, brought him success, and made
him famous all over the world.
A complete sentence has an independent subject and a verb and expresses a
complete thought.
Authors make mistakes by using a colon after a verb or preposition.
For example,
(Verb)
The metals excluded were:
(1) molybdenum
(2) mercury
(3) manganese
The metals excluded were (1) molybdenum, (2) mercury, and (3) manganese.
(Preposition)
She was in charge of: registration, cabin assignments, and camp clean-up.
She was in charge of registration, cabin assignments, and camp clean-up.
Do NOT include a space before a colon
A colon should be placed immediately after the word it follows. That is, no space
should be inserted before a colon, but a space should be inserted after it.
She was interested in studying all four subjects : music, history, architecture,
and journalism.
She was interested in studying all four subjects: music, history, architecture,
and journalism.
Note that if a colon is used to separate hours and minutes (e.g., 2:30 p.m.),
there should be no space before and after it.
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Do NOT use a comma to separate correlative conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are used when there is a continuous flow of ideas between
two elements. A comma signifies a pause in the line of thinking; hence, elements that
are joined by correlative conjunctions are usually NOT separated by commas.
She led the team not only in statistics, but also by virtue of her enthusiasm.
She led the team not only in statistics but also by virtue of her enthusiasm.
A comma is placed before the second element only when using correlative
conjunctions to join complete sentences.
For example,
Either you should come to visit us, or we should come to see you.
For a complete list of such correlative conjunctions, visit our Free Downloads
section.
Set off non-essential information using a pair of commas
Set-off commas is a pair of bracketing commas used to mark off (or set off ) an
interruption that does not disturb the smooth flow of the sentence.
The phrase that is set off usually provides additional information. Hence, removing
this set-off element does not change the meaning of the main sentence.
Factories of such industries recruited women, particularly unmarried young
women rather than men.
Here, the phrase particularly unmarried young women provides additional
information about the type of women preferred in the main sentence,
“Factories of such industries recruited women rather than men.” Hence, it has
to be set off by commas.
Factories of such industries recruited women, particularly unmarried young
women, rather than men.
Set-off commas always appear in pairs, with the first comma being placed just
before the additional phrase and the second comma immediately after it.
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Do NOT use a comma to join two complete sentences
When a comma is used to join two independent clauses (which function as complete
sentences), a comma splice occurs. The comma is not strong enough to do the job of
making one grammatical sentence out of two.
The annual depreciation rate is assumed to be 10% and
the labor share is set to 64% as in Prescott (1986), thus the
capital share is 0.36.
Many nonnative authors
use a comma to join
complete sentences.
The annual depreciation rate is assumed to be 10% and
the labor share is set to 64% as in Prescott (1986). Thus, the capital share is 0.36.
The annual depreciation rate is assumed to be 10% and the labor share is set to
64% as in Prescott (1986); thus, the capital share is 0.36.
The annual depreciation rate is assumed to be 10% and the labor share is set to
64% as in Prescott (1986), and thus, the capital share is 0.36.
A comma splice can be corrected by
using a period to separate the two clauses,
inserting a semicolon between the two clauses, or
placing a conjunction after the comma that separates the two independent
clauses.
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