Good punctuation creates signposts in your sentences, telling your readers when to pause, what to expect next, and more. Learn how to use punctuation with confidence.
Overview
Syllabus
Introduction
- Punctuation helps your readers
- How to use apostrophes for possessives
- How to use apostrophes for contractions
- When to use apostrophes for plurals
- How to use commas after an introductory element
- How to use commas between main clauses
- When to use the Oxford or serial comma
- When to use commas with dependent clauses
- How to use commas with nonrestrictive clauses
- How to use commas with names
- How to use hyphens in compound modifiers
- When to use hyphens with prefixes
- When to use suspensive hyphens
- How to use question marks in wondering sentences
- How to use questions marks with rhetorical questions
- How to combine quotation marks with periods and commas
- How to mix quotation marks with question marks
- How to mix quotation marks with other punctuation
- How to use ellipses in quotations
- How to use semicolons to join main clauses
- How to use semicolons in complicated lists
- How to use parentheses
- How to use periods with abbreviations
- How to use asterisks
- How to use colons
- How to use dashes
- Next steps
Taught by
Mignon Fogarty
