Punctuation

Tips: Part 1
Using cue words and flip checks

Commas & Cue Words:

If you start a sentence with ANY of the following words, you will most likely need to use a comma in your sentence. With that said, you will typically need to place the comma after the CUE words below:

Yesterday Mostly I, (subjects name), Today Usually Of course Tomorrow Often Nonetheless Monday (or any day) Additionally Furthermore Nevertheless Suddenly Therefore Yet First In conclusion Later Lastly Thus Somehow Finally Hence Someday Next Subsequently Anyhow Then Afterward Example 1: Yesterday, a young boy found a lost puppy.

Anyway Well Occasionally Sometimes Also However One day So Thus far Everyday

Commas & Cue Words (that begin a dependent clause):

The words found in the following list will also cue a comma; however, the comma will need to be placed after the dependent clause.

Every time Unless During Given that Wherever Even though Throughout On When As While After Whenever By With Because If To Within Although Since For Rather Seeing that In Instead Once At Due to However From Before Following Except Apart from Including Example 1: Instead of writing a story, he wrote a short summary.

Commas & Flip Checks:

If you are unsure about where the comma is placed, try flipping the independent clause to the beginning. Example: Whenever we watch television, my dad steals the remote control. Flip Check: My dad steals the remote control whenever we watch television.

Punctuation Tips: Part 2

Using Commas, Semi-Colons, and Conjunctions

Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions

Use a comma after the independent clause when using one of the following coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. For example: I am going home, and I intend to stay there. It rained heavily during the afternoon, but we managed to have our picnic anyway. They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark, so they decided to camp for the night.

Semicolons
Use a semicolon when you link two independent clauses without coordinating conjunctions. For example: I am going home; I intend to stay there. It rained heavily during the afternoon; we managed to have our picnic anyway. They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark; they decided to camp for the night.

Semicolons & Commas with Conjunctive Adverbs

You can also use a semicolon when you join two independent clauses together with one of the following conjunctive adverbs (adverbs that join independent clauses): however, moreover, therefore, consequently, otherwise, nevertheless, thus. I am going home; moreover, I intend to stay there. It rained heavily during the afternoon; however, we managed to have our picnic anyway. They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark; therefore, they decided to camp for the night.