Grammar and Style

CHAPTER17

Basic Punctuation

In This Chapter

• Punctuation marks that end your sentences
• Commas and all they can, and can’t, do
• The semicolon and when to use it
• The colon: a punctuation mark that introduces

In writing, the little things matter—especially the little things known as punctuation marks. Without punctuation, sentences would be confusing messes. With improperly used punctuation, sentences are hard to understand and annoying to readers who know the rules.

Every punctuation mark has its own use or uses. Some have only one use (the question mark) or two uses (the semicolon), making them fairly easy to learn. Others, such as the comma, ...