Basic English Punctuationby KJ Gilchrist, modified from original guide by Virginia Allen, c. 1985.

1) Independent clause .

(A clause must have a noun that acts as a subject and its verb.)

John went to the store.

2) Independent clause ; independent clause .

• The semicolon is used as a weak period between clauses, but…

• It doesn’t separate clauses; it joins them and adds some logical connection between them.

• It is only one of the two ways to join independent sentences in American English.

John went to the store; Jane was there.

3) Independent clause ; however , independent clause . consequently furthermore accordingly nevertheless (and other conjunctive adverbs)

(What is joining the two independent clauses? Think back to 2.)

A conjunctive adverb does two things:• Leaves an independent clause independent.• Adds logical connection (transition) between clauses.

John went to the store; consequently, Jane was there.

3) continued

John went to the store; consequently, Jane was there.

The word consequently tells us something. Jane is apparently stalking John.

That’s why I always wear socks. There are stalking laws.

4) Independent clause , and independent clause . but or for so yet then (conjunctions)

In American English, two things are required to join the two independent

clauses here: , Conjunction

John went to the store, so Jane was there.

4) continued

, Conjunction

This “bond” between the two independent clauses is like a polar bond in chemistry.

A + and a – both must be present.

IC + - ICJohn went to the store, so Jane was there.

5) Independent clause although dependent clause .

because if before after (and other subordinating conjunctions)

A subordinating conjunction does two things:• Adds logical connection• CHANGES an independent clause to a dependent clause (It can make a sentence fragment: If John went.)

John went to the store although Jane was there.

5) ContinuedJohn went to the store although Jane was there.

Incorrect: John went to the store. Although Jane was there.

“Although” makes the second independent clause incomplete. It must be attached to (“conjuncted” with) an independent structure, which is the first clause.

5) ContinuedJohn went to the store although Jane was there.

If you confuse “However” with “Although” in a sentence (they mean the same thing), you may make a fragment:

Correct: John went to the store. However, Jane was there.Incorrect: John went to the store. Although, Jane was there.

Why is this so?• “However” (conjunctive adverb) leaves independent

clauses independent. • “Although” (a subordinating conjunction) changes

independent clauses to dependent.

6) Although dependent clause , independent clause . Because If Before After (and other subordinating conjunctions)

A dependent clause placed first still needs to be attached to an independent clause.

Although Jane was there, John went to the store. Why the comma here, and not here, as we saw in (5)?

John went to the store although Jane was there.

We also write in phrases.

Simple rule: if a phrase at the beginning of a sentence is 4 words or more, put a comma after it:

Flying wildly down the street on his new PlanB skate board, John went to the store.

Driving wildly after John in her red Masserati convertible, Jane tried to run over him.

However, if the phrase is short, but the sentence would be confusing without a comma, put it after the phrase.

When young Jane had red hair. (Is this a fragment?) When young, Jane had red hair.

Subordinating Conjunctions

afteralthoughas [far/soon] asas ifas thoughbecausebeforeeven ifeven thoughhowifinasmuch asin case thatinsofar asin thatlest

no matter hownow thatonceprovided (that)sinceso thatsupposing thatthanthoughtillunlessuntilwhen, wheneverwhere, whereverwhetherwhilewhy

Conjunctive Adverbs (take a comma immediately after them)

alsoanyhowanywaybesideconsequentlyfinallyfurthermorehoweverincidentallyindeedinsteadlikewise

meanwhilemoreoverneverthelessnextnonethelessotherwisesimilarlystillthenthereforethus

Transitional Phrases (take a common immediately after them)

afterallas a resultat any rateat the same timeby the wayeven sofor examplein additionin factin other wordsin the second placeon the contraryon the other hand