Confused by commas? Stumped by semicolons? Here's how the Writing Center can help you find and fix punctuation mistakes.
Do you have a quotation that is too long and mostly meaningless? You can use an ellipsis to leave out extra or unnecessary words.
Using SemicolonsSemicolons are often misused in everyday writing, so here are three simple rules which cover the vast majority of problems.
Punctuation BasicsEven though punctuation can sometimes be confusing, this information should help answer some of your punctuation questions.
Comma splices occur when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined with a comma. In other words, the words on each side of the comma could form their own sentence.
Proofreading for Comma ErrorsWhen you have completed a near-final draft of your paper and you’re ready to begin looking for errors in punctuation, spelling, and mechanics, it’s often best to focus on one problem at a time.
Learn the pros and cons of relying on Microsoft Word's Grammar Check tool.
For most people, learning grammar is the first step in learning to write. Rules of grammar are the foundation for clear sentences, and clear sentences lead directly to good writing.