Punctuation

Hyphens

• Hyphens are a “look-it-up” punctuation mark. Though hyphens have several uses, we are going to focus on how to use hyphens with compound adjectives. Compound adjectives are two or more words that together make an adjective. When they come directly before a noun, they are known as compound modifiers and usually have a hyphen, like “noise-canceling headphones". Here are a few more examples:

  • They had a long-term relationship.

  • The fire-proof vest proved to be a great lifesaver for Santa Claus.

• If the adjectives come after the noun, then they do not need a hyphen. For example:

  • Their relationship was long term.

  • Santa's new vest is fire proof.

• From the Text of Doom:

  • "​long-time​" → "​longtime​"

  • "​red-headed​" → "​redheaded​"

  • "​year-long​" or "​year long​" → "​yearlong​"

• When in doubt, check ​Wiktionary.

Apostrophe

• Possessive common nouns are common nouns or pronouns that own other nouns. Apostrophes are used to indicate this possession in the following ways:

  • If the noun does not end in -s (in most cases, this means it is singular), add -'s. Here are two examples:

    • The bike's handlebars were bent in the crash.

    • The boy's sister traveled by bus to meet us.

  • If the noun is singular and ends in -s, you can either add -'s, or add only an apostrophe.

    • My boss's job at the bank was eliminated due to budget cuts. OR

    • My boss' job at the bank was eliminated due to budget cuts.

    • The class's average grade was impressive. OR

    • The class' average grade was impressive.

  • If the noun is plural and ends in -s, add only an apostrophe.

    • The clowns' shoes protruded from the window of the Volkswagen.

    • Both bananas' peels had turned brown.

  • If the noun is plural and does not end in -s, add -'s.

    • The children's play received a standing ovation.

    • The geese's precise formation in the sky impressed the pedestrians.

• From the Text of Doom:​ "She oftenbecomes [sic] tired because of her ​parents's​ antics of always deserting her to take care of the castle because of their habits of getting lost around the globe (not really, in their own backyard): a fact that has always been so ever since she was a child."

  • "​parents's​" → "​parents' ​"

Semicolons

• Semicolons can easily be used incorrectly because many writers use them somewhat interchangeably with commas to denote a pause that is longer than a comma, but in actuality, semicolons have more specific rules to use than commas.

• Rule 1. A semicolon can replace a period if the writer wishes to narrow the gap between two closely linked sentences.

  • Call me tomorrow; you can give me an answer then.

  • We have paid our dues; we expect all the privileges listed in the contract.

  • Rule 2. Use a semicolon before such words and terms as namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., for instance, etc., when they introduce a complete sentence. It is also preferable to use a comma after these words and terms.

    • Bring any two items; however, sleeping bags and tents are in short supply.

  • Rule 3. Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas.

    • Incorrect: The conference has people who have come from Moscow, Idaho, Springfield, California, Alamo, Tennessee, and other places as well. ​Note that with only commas, that sentence is hopeless.

    • Correct: The conference has people who have come from Moscow, Idaho; Springfield, California; Alamo, Tennessee; and other places as well.

  • Rule 4. A semicolon may be used between independent clauses joined by a connector, such as and, but, or, nor, etc., when one or more commas appear in the first clause.

    • When I finish here, and I will soon, I'll be glad to help you; and that is a promise I will keep.

• From the Text of Doom: ​"​Initially disliking the idea of living in the same house with a boy​;​ Letica often fought with Duke at thebeginning [sic] of the series, but finds out from her fairy god mother that she was crib friends with him when they were both babys [sic], and falls head over feet for him before the audience even realises."

  • "Initially disliking the idea of living in the same house with a boy;" ​is not a complete sentence, is not an example of Rule 2, and is not an independent clause either. This semicolon should just be a comma.

Commas

• There really is no easy way to learn how to use commas appropriately, and to complicate matters, commas can be wielded in a stylistic manner as well. Consulting the Style Guide is a good place to start.

• From the Text of Doom:​ "​Letica is a red-headed and good-natured girl, well as good-natured as red-heads can be, and whose parents leave for the Canary Islands to work for CERN at the beginning of the series, arranging for her to stay with their long-time family friend,Hino Satoshi, a monk who lives at an old shrine atop a hill and has an amazing voice.​"

  • Ahhhh, too many commas! The best course of action here would probably be to split this massive sentence into smaller ones that have more focused topics.