Punctuation
Commas
●commas are normally used after subordinate clauses when these come first in sentence
If I have any problems, I will let you know.
●they are not normally used when the subordinate clause follows the main clause
We will phone you as soon as we get there.
●commas are used after linking adverbials at the beginning a sentence
Meanwhile, darkness began to fall.
For this reason, I have decided to resign.
●they are also used before adverbials if these are inserted in the sentence
The workers, however, have refused to accept the offer.
●commas are used to separate items in a list or series, the are not normally used between the last two items
She got up, had a shower, got dressed and went out.
●commas are used with non-identifying relative clauses but not with identifying relative clauses
My father, who is a lawyer, advised me on the legal matters.
The man who bought our house is a lawyer.
●commas are used to separate direct speech from reporting verb
“ Empty your bag,” he said. She replied, “It’s already empty.”
●they are not used before that, if, where, etc. in reported speech
She replied that it was already empty.
Apostrophes
Apostrophes are used to:
●to indicate where letters have been omitted from contracted forms
I don’t think it ´s fair.
●to indicate possession
the boss ´s office, my parents ´ house, the children’s books
●Apostrophes are not used with possessive pronouns or adjectives
Yours is here. Its tail is white.
Dashes
●dashes are used in informal writing
●in place of a colon
