A simple guide to Punctuation and Capitalization Rules

Capitalization:

1. The first word of every sentence, and The first word of every direct quotation
2. The first, last, and every important word/s in a title
3. Proper names of people, places, cities, countries, streets, languages, races and nationalities
Ex: Grandfather - Japan – Brown - Indian – English – Uganda - Oriental
4. Names of particular people or things, but not general ones
Ex: I spoke to Professor Smith. I spoke to the professor.
5. Names of months, days of the week, and special days, but not the seasons
Ex: February - First of July - Wednesday – Thanksgiving, but not spring – summer
Punctuation marks:
Full stop (.) is used in three cases: (to end a sentence, abbreviations, with numbers.)
Question mark (?) is used after an interrogative question.
Exclamation mark (!) is used to express feelings and emotions.
Apostrophe (‘) is used with contractions: (do not = don’t) and to indicate possession (bob’s car is very fast).
Colon (:) is used:
1- To start a quotation. She said: “She won’t be here next Monday.”
2- Between two independent clauses if the second one summarizes or explains the first.
Ex: Bella and I listened to music, played football, danced in the hall, and played chess: we had a great time.
3- Between title and subtitle. Ex: College life: how to succeed as a student.
Quotation marks (“...”) are used in the following cases:
1- To identify the exact words of the speaker. Start the quote with a capital letter. Ex: He said, “Close the door”.
2- To set off the titles of short works.
Ex:
Use quotation marks Use underlines
The song, “isn’t it a pity?” The television show, Cheers
The episode of cheers, Diane’s worst day The magazine, lifestyle

- Commas, periods, question marks, exclamation marks that come at the end of a quotation should go
inside the quotation marks.
- If the quotation is split into two parts, the 2nd part doesn’t begin with a capital letter unless it begins
a 2nd sentence.
- If the words are the speaker’s exact words, do not use quotation marks.
- Usually the quotation marks within other quotation marks are reduced to (‘) instead of (“) to
distinguish them from one another.

Commas (,) is used in the following cases:

1- A comma is used to join two compound sentences (before the coordinating conjunction = FANBOYS: for, and,
nor, but, or, yet and so). Ex: I want to stay, but you want to go.
2- A comma is used between items in a series: Ex: I bought a laptop, a smartphone, and a desktop.
3- A comma is used after an introductory expression, phrase or a clause in a sentence.
Ex:
Yesterday, I didn’t sleep well. (Word)
On Fridays, I stay at home. (Phrase)
When the time comes, we will move to the city. (Subordinate clause).
4- A comma is used around the names of a person spoken to or addressed.
Ex: 1)- Rick, bring that into the classroom. 2)- I know, Bob, that you are missing them.
5- A comma is used around an expression that interrupts the flow of the sentence.
Ex: 1)- the fact, therefore, do not support your argument. 2)- I wish, however, that I could go for the
weekend.
6- A comma is used around non-essential ideas
Ex: 1)- The students who passed with flying colors benefited from a training program.
2)- The old man and sea, a novel by Earnest Hemingway, is one of my favorite literary works.
Semi-colon is used to 1)- Separate two independent Clauses. Ex: I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out
tonight.
 2)- Semicolon with a conjunctive adverb or transitional phrase. Ex: Tyler finished all the math problems in
thirty minutes; as a result, he got to leave class early.

Punctuation and capitalization exercises

Punctuate and capitalize the following sentences.

1. whenever Krista leaves her dog barks for hours
2. luis Cardoza who lives in san fernando spoke at the meeting
3. someone broke into the house nothing seemed to be missing
4. Your resume should be sent to joe flores director of personnel smith electronic 123 polk street san luis
obispo california 93401 by October 27
5. sam was born on tuesday july 1980 at 6 a m
6. I told you Mr smith that I could not attend

Please add necessary punctuation and capitalization to the following business letter.

Dear Mr lopez

I recently received the order that you placed on November 30 2009 for a new
vacuum When you ordered your new Whoosh vacuum you requested a set of
attachments as well. We do have the vacuum that you want in stock unfortunately our company has
sold out of the specific set of attachments that you ordered We regret that we cannot fill your order
however we do have an alternative for you. If you like our company would be happy to send you a
different vacuum Whoosh Model 1234 which comes with a set of attachments in its purchase price.
Mr lopez I think that you will find this vacuum equally efficient and I believe that you will be pleased
with this model. the price is a little higher but is still an excellent value If this is a satisfactory
substitution please send the attached postcard to my office at 3434 Smith Stree Sylmal'California as
soon as possible.

I hope Mr lopez that you will continue to choose Polk s Electronics whenever you need new
appliances. Thank you for your patronage we hope to serve you in the
future

sincerely

susan polk

Linking words (conjunctions)

Coordinating conjunctions Subordinating conjunctions Conjunctive adverbs
After, Once, Until
Although, Provided that Accordingly, also, besides
FANBOYS:
, When, As Rather consequently, conversely, finally,
for,
than, Whenever, Because, furthermore, hence
and,
Since Where, Before However, indeed, instead
nor,
, So that, Whereas, Even likewise, meanwhile, moreover
but,
if, Wherever, Even nevertheless, next, nonetheless
or,
though, If, Though , otherwise, similarly, still,
yet,
While subsequently, then, therefore
so
In order to, Unless , thus
Why