Punctuation Pattern Sheet
When first learning how to use punctuation, it can be overwhelming to get a grasp on the rules. Even once you learn these
rules, they are not always consistent (especially when it comes to comma use). Although punctuation can sometimes seem
arbitrary, when used effectively, it can improve clarity and even heighten the emotion in your writing. Something is
achieved by punctuation—it’s not just rules! This handout illustrates the most common punctuation uses but is not a
complete list; instead, it is a starting point for becoming a punctuation pro.
Sentences are complete when they have a subject, verb, and form a complete thought. Complete sentences are also
known as independent or main clauses.
[Independent clause].
[Subject] [verb] [complete thought].
I take the bus to school.
Coordinating conjunctions can be used to combine two independent clauses. You can remember these with the
acronym BOYSFAN: but, or, yet, so, for, and, nor.
[Independent clause], [coordinating conjunction] [independent clause].
My car needed to be washed, so I went through the car wash.
Coordinating conjunctions can be used within a sentence, without commas, to combine phrases and words. A
phrase is a combination of two or more words without the subject and verb necessary to form a clause.
Combining phrases: [Independent clause] [coordinating conjunction] [phrase].
I like going for walks and talking about books.
Combining words: [Independent clause] [coordinating conjunction] [word].
I like my cat and dog.
Subordinating conjunctions (such as if, because, since, when, while, although, after, and even) can start a sentence
and are followed by a comma. These are called dependent or subordinate clauses and are formed when a clause is
combined with a subordinating conjunction.
[Subordinating conjunction] [clause], [independent clause].
While I would rather eat halibut, my husband prefers salmon.
Subordinating conjunctions can be used within a sentence, without commas, as long as the subordinating
conjunction appears in the second half of the sentence instead of the first.
[Independent clause] [subordinating conjunction] [clause].
The children watered the plant because the soil was dry.
Semicolons (;) can connect two independent clauses that are closely related.
[Independent clause]; [independent clause].
The man stared at the painting for hours; he must have appreciated the artist’s style.
Semicolons can be used with transitional expressions (such as therefore, however, nevertheless, consequently,
furthermore, moreover). Transitional expressions are words that help to guide your reader through a sentence.
[Independent clause]; [transitional expression], [independent clause].
The train often blocks the street for ten minutes; therefore, I usually chose a different morning driving route.
Short phrases (with explanations or interjections) can be inserted if surrounded by commas. These are also known
as nonessential clauses because they can be removed from a sentence without losing the meaning.
[Independent clause], [nonessential clause], [clause].
My Uncle Bob, who loves to go fishing, caught a huge trout yesterday.
Picnics always seem fun, of course, until the ants and wasps show up.
Colons (:), semicolons (;), and commas sometimes punctuate a list. A colon can introduce a list.
If list items are simple, use commas between them.
[Independent clause]: {item A}, {item B}, and {item C}.
I like walking many types of dogs: Great Danes, Siberian Huskies, and Weimaraners.
If list items use commas within the items, use semicolons to separate them.
[Independent clause]: {item A, phrase}; {item B, phrase}; and {item C, phrase}.
I walk many types of dogs: Great Danes, which are tall and gangly; Siberian Huskies, which are energetic; and
Weimaraners, which demonstrate attentiveness to my commands.
Parentheses can be used outside or inside sentences and provide more, usually less important, information. Outside
parentheticals follow normal sentence rules, but inside parentheticals are not capitalized and only use punctuation
for emphasis (e.g., exclamation points, question marks).
Outside: When she painted, she favored green. (She especially liked to use emerald green.)
Inside: When she painted (which she did furiously!), she favored green.
When she painted, she favored green (especially emerald green).
She needed to visit the Chief Petty Officer (CPO).
A hyphen (-) connects two words together when they are one idea, such as compound words and compound
adjectives.
one-fourth
Linn-Benton brother-in-law quick-footed sugar-free
merry-go-round
An en-dash (–)* is slightly longer than a hyphen and connects two words or numbers to indicate a range.
[Beginning of range]–[End of range]
1963–1982
January–December
Ages 3–6
Questions 1–20
An em-dash (—)* is even longer than an en-dash and can be used to indicate an interruption in dialogue or can be
used in place of parentheses around phrases interrupting a sentence. An em-dash can bring dramatic emphasis to a
phrase, unlike parentheses, which reduce emphasis.
“Sammy, do you think we should—“
The dog—his tail wagged incessantly when greeting new people—raced to the door.
An ellipsis (…) indicates an omission of words or a pause in thought. Each writing style has slightly different rules.
The following examples are based on MLA guidelines.
Full sentence:
She tried to call the taxi using her whistle but waited too long.
With ellipsis:
“She tried to call the taxi … but waited too long.”
As a pause:
He said, “I’m not really sure … Do you think I should?”
Full sentence:
According to John Smith, “Dogs make good pets because they are friendly.
Many humans prefer friendly pets, but some dogs can be too friendly.”
Sentence omission: According to John Smith, “Dogs make good pets because they are friendly. …
but some dogs can be too friendly.”
Punctuation plays a special role in dialogue. Use commas and periods at the end of a statement within the
quotation marks (“ ”).
“The Martians are coming[comma]” he said. “Let’s go meet them[period]”
“The Martians are coming,” he said. “Let’s go meet them.”
Use commas after the speaker tag (“___ said”), before a quote.
He said [comma] “The Martians are coming.”
He said, “The Martians are coming.”
Do all three when the speaker tag interrupts the dialogue.
“The Martians[comma]” he said[comma] “are coming [period]”
“The Martians,” he said, “are coming.”
*These dashes are not keys on the keyboard. Search online for how to create the dashes; word processors, operating
systems, and browsers may use different commands.