Commas

Rule Example
To separate three or more words or phrases in a I will need scissors, paper, and glue.
series

To separate a date from its year He was born on August7, 1976.

To separate a city and its state from the rest of Our family reunion on July 4, 2014, was a
the sentence memorable one.

To separate a city and its state from the rest of We were living in Austin, Texas, before we
the sentence moved to Florida.

To set off most introductory elements Fortunately, I was allowed to use a calculator
when I took the mathematics portion of the
test.

To separate two main clauses joined by a I broke my watch, so I couldnt tell what time it
connector word (and, or, but, so, for, nor, yet) was.

To set off an introductory subordinate clause When Im working on a project, I find it hard to
stop to eat.

To set off an introductory participial phrase Driving through the park, I saw several squirrels
gathering nuts.

To separate nonrestrictive elements from the My neighbor, who is a math professor, often
rest of the sentence. Nonrestrictive elements are chats with me in the front yard.
elements that are not essential to the meaning of
the sentence

To set off a direct quotation I wish you wouldnt do that, she pleaded.

Semicolons

Rule Example
Between two independent clauses when no I broke my watch; I couldnt tell what time it
connector word is used (connectors include and, was.
or, but, so, for, nor, yet, etc.)
Between two independent clauses linked by a I broke my watch; therefore, I couldnt tell what
transitional word or phrase time it was.
To separate three or more items in a series that We have lived in Chicago, Illinois; Austin, Texas;
already contains commas and Tampa, Florida.

Colons

Rule
To alert the reader to pay attention to something
that follows
To punctuate time
In the salutation of a business letter
To separate titles and subtitles
Example
The number 13 has only two factors: 1 and 13.
We will leave at 12:15 p.m.
Dear Committee Members:
Study Skills: A Guide for Students