How to avoid the most frequent punctuation errors
To avoid the most frequent punctuation errors, focus on mastering key rules around apostrophes, commas, quotation marks, colons, and semicolons, ensuring clarity and correctness in writing.
Apostrophe Misuse
Avoid using apostrophes to form plurals, such as writing “dog’s” instead of “dogs.” Apostrophes are only for possession (e.g., “Wagner’s music”) or contractions (e.g., “it’s” for “it is”). Never use apostrophes in possessive pronouns like “yours,” “ours,” or “theirs,” as these do not require them. 1, 2, 3
Comma Errors
Use commas after introductory words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., “Moreover, students are expected…”), and set off nonessential clauses with paired commas (e.g., “Joseph Conrad, who was born in Poland, began…”), but do not use commas around essential information. Avoid comma splices—joining two independent clauses with only a comma—by using a semicolon or period instead. Also, do not place a comma before a noun clause (e.g., “The spelunkers found that…” is correct; “found, that…” is not). 4, 5
Quotation Marks
Place terminal punctuation such as periods and question marks inside quotation marks in American English (e.g., “What time is it?”). Do not use quotation marks for emphasis or to highlight ordinary terms, as this can imply sarcasm or doubt. 2, 5, 1
Colon and Semicolon Confusion
Use a colon only after a complete sentence to introduce a list, explanation, or quotation (e.g., “She has three favorite flowers: daffodils, roses, and pansies”). Use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses (e.g., “I am glad to be going on vacation; I need the rest”). Avoid using a semicolon to introduce a list, which requires a colon instead. 5, 6, 1, 2
Excessive or Emotional Punctuation
Limit exclamation points to one per sentence in formal writing, as multiple marks (e.g., “!!!”) appear unprofessional. Similarly, avoid stacking question marks or combining them with exclamation points (e.g., “?!?”) unless in informal contexts. 7, 5