GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION RULES

Punctuation

Rule 1:  Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks, even inside single quotes.

Examples:
The sign changed from "Walk," to "Don't Walk," to "Walk" again within 30 seconds.
She said, "Hurry up."
She said, "He said, `Hurry up.'"

Rule 2:   To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more.

Example:
My $10,000,000 estate is to be split among my husband, daughter, son, and nephew.
(Omitting the comma after son would indicate that the son and nephew would have to split one-third of the estate.)

Rule 3:   Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the word "and" can be inserted between them.

Examples:
He is a strong, healthy man.
We stayed at an expensive summer resort.
(You would not say "expensive and summer resort," so do not use a comma.)

Rule 4:   Use a comma when an -ly adjective is used with other adjectives.  To test if an ly word is an adjective, see if it can be used alone with the noun. If it can, use the comma.

Examples:
Felix was a lonely, young boy.
I get headaches in brightly lit rooms.
("Brightly" is not an adjective because it cannot be used alone with "rooms.")

Rule 5:  Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the flow of the sentence.

Example:
I am, as you have probably noticed, very nervous about this.

Rule 6: When starting a sentence with a weak clause, use a comma after it. Conversely, do not use a comma when the sentence starts with a strong clause followed by a weak clause. (See pages 6 and 7 for more about clauses.)

Examples:
If you are not sure about this, let me know now.
Let me know now if you are not sure about this.

Rule 7:   Use a comma after phrases of more than three words that begin a sentence.

Example:
To apply for this job, you must have previous experience.

Rule 8:  Use the semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out.

Examples:
Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.
I have paid my dues; therefore, I expect all the privileges listed in the
contract.

Capitalization

Rule 9:  Capitalize points of the compass only when they refer to specific regions.

Examples:
We have had Presidents from the South.
Go south three blocks and then turn left.
We live in the southeast section of town. Southeast is just an adjective here
so should not be capitalized.

Subject/verb agreement

Rule 10: Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.

Example:
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.

Rule 11:  Two singular subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor require a singular verb.

Examples:
Neither John nor Susan is available.
Neither she nor I am going to the festival.
(NOTE: "Am" is singular and agrees with the subject closest to it.)

Rule 12:   As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by "and."

Example:
A car and a bike are my means of transportation.

Rule 13:   The pronouns "each," "everyone," "everybody," "anyone," "anybody," "someone," and "somebody" are singular. Do not be misled by what follows "of."

Examples:
Each of the girls sings well.
Every one of the cakes is gone.

Rule 14:   With words that indicate portions-percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none, remainder, etc.-you must look at the object of the preposition to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.

Examples:
Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared.
"Pie" is the object of the preposition "of."

Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared.
"Pies" is the object of the preposition.

One third of the city is unemployed.
One third of the people are unemployed.
All of the pie is gone.
All of the pies are gone.
Some of the pie is missing.
Some of the pies are missing.

Rule 15: Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.

Examples:
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.

Rule 16: Use the he/him method to decide which word is correct.

he = who
him = whom

Examples:
Who/Whom wrote the letter?
He wrote the letter. Therefore, "who" is correct.

For who/whom should I vote?
Should I vote for him? Therefore, "whom" is correct.

We all know who/whom pulled that prank.
This sentence contains two clauses: We all know and who/whom pulled that
prank. We are interested in the second clause because it contains the
who/whom. He pulled that prank. Therefore, "who" is correct.

Rule 17: As a general norm, "who" refers to people, while "that" and "which" refer to groups or things.

Examples:
Glen is the one who rescued the bird.
She belongs to an organization that specializes in saving endangered species.

Rule 18:  "That" introduces essential clauses while "which" introduces nonessential clauses.

Examples:
I do not like editorials that argue for racial differences in intelligence.
(We would not know which editorials were being discussed without the that
clause.)

The editorial arguing for racial differences in intelligence, which appeared
in the Sunday newspaper, upset me.
(The editorial is already identified. Therefore, "which" begins a nonessential
clause.)

 (NOTE: Essential clauses do not have commas surrounding them while
nonessential clauses do contain commas.)

Style

Rule 19: Use active voice whenever possible. Active voice means the subject is "doing" the verb.

Examples:
(Active) Barry hit the ball.
(Passive) The ball was hit. or The ball was hit by Barry.

Rule 20: Avoid overusing "there is," "there are," "it is," "it was," etc.

Example:
There is a case of meningitis that was reported in the newspaper.

Correction:
A case of meningitis was reported in the newspaper.

Even better:
The newspaper reported a case of meningitis. (Active voice)