Punctuation Pointers Archives

Punctuation Pointers

Is There A Comma Before “Which?”

Here are the general rules for when to use a comma with which: Place a comma before which if it is introducing a nonrestrictive phrase. Do not place a comma before which if it is part of a prepositional phrase like “in which.” Do not place a comma before which if… continue reading

A two-tone graphic with the word "there's"

Understanding “There’s”

There’s is a contraction of there is. It is correct to write, “There’s a hole in my bucket.” It is not correct to write, “There’s three holes in my bucket.” There’s only refers to one item. If you wanted to correct that sentence, you would… continue reading

A chalk board with the word because and a comma placed right before the word

Punctuation Pointers

Do You Put a Comma Before “Because?”

Let’s answer the question: “do you put a comma before “because?” The short answer is when because connects two clauses in a sentence, you don’t need a comma. Because is a subordinating conjunction. It connects a subordinate clause with an independent clause. There should not be a comma between… continue reading

An abstract background with a comma before the word too

Punctuation Pointers

Comma Before “Too” At The End Of A Sentence

Sometimes too is used with a comma, and sometimes it is not. Both can be correct. Using a comma actually depends on the intention of the writer. The comma adds an emphasis. A comma should also be used before too if there is an abrupt shift in thought. When too is… continue reading

Year old vs. Year-old

Do you know when to hyphenate the words “year old”? The Takeaway If you are using “year old” as an adjective, then you need to put a hyphen between the words. For example, you would write “the two-year-old child.” “Two-year-old” is an adjective that describes… continue reading

A graphic showing a strip on the ground representing a hyphen with the words Compound Modifiers

All About the Compound Modifier

When you use a hyphen to connect two words and use those words as an adjective, it is called a compound modifier. For example: Incorrect: The sweet smelling cake made my stomach growl. This sentence is rather confusing. Is the sweet actually smelling the cake?… continue reading

a graphic with suspended quotation marks in dialogue boxes to showcase dialogue quotation rules

Proper Use of Quotation Marks

Quotation marks show that those words are being spoken. They are used a lot in dialogue in fiction writing. Dialogue is words spoken by characters. Quotation marks are always in pairs, with the first set opening the quote and the second set closing the quote.… continue reading

A graphic explaining what is an introductory phrase, and gives an example, using a comma after the introductory phrase: "After the long dinner was over, Mike lit his cigar."

Punctuation Pointers

Using a Comma After an Introductory Phrase

Let’s talk about introductory elements in sentences and how to punctuate them. To start, there are two types of introductions: an introductory phrase and an introductory clause. Introductory Clause An introductory clause is a dependent clause that helps introduce or give background information for the… continue reading

A graphic of a man with a quizical expression next to the words: "Others Other's Others'"

Is it Others or Other’s?

Is it others’, others or other’s? These three words are obviously all versions of the word other and are often confused. Let’s shed a little light, shall we? The possessive singular form of the word other is other’s. The plural form of the word other is… continue reading

Punctuation Pointers

Is There a Comma Before or After Such As?

Updated October 2022: Let’s face it, punctuation is not easy. For example, do you need a comma with the phrase such as? Well, the answer is… sometimes. Place a comma in front of such as only if you’re using it as part of a nonrestrictive… continue reading