Punctuation

• Two full clauses need a conjunction after the comma, a bare comma is a "comma splice".
• Possessive "its" never takes an apostrophe.
• Sentence-starting linkers (However, Therefore, Moreover) take a comma after them.
• Separate list items with commas; the final comma before "and" (Oxford comma) is optional but consistent.
• Reported questions are statements, they end with a full stop, not a question mark.
• Capitalise "Dear" and the name; a comma follows the greeting.

• I was tired, so I went to bed.
• The company changed its policy.
• However, the results were clear.
• We need eggs, milk, and bread.
• She asked me where I lived.
• Dear Mr Smith,

Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.

More in Writing Skills

• Formal vs informal
• Dictation practice
• Structuring an argument