- To join two independent clauses, use a comma followed by a conjunction, a semicolon alone, or a semicolon followed by a sentence modifier.
- Use commas to bracket nonrestrictive phrases, which are not essential to the sentence’s meaning.
- Do not use commas to bracket phrases that are essential to a sentence’s meaning.
- When beginning a sentence with an introductory phrase or an introductory (dependent) clause, include a comma.
- To indicate possession, end a singular noun with an apostrophe followed by an “s”. Otherwise, the noun’s form seems plural.
- Use proper punctuation to integrate a quotation into a sentence. If the introductory material is an independent clause, add the quotation after a colon. If the introductory material ends in “thinks,” “saying,” or some other verb indicating expression, use a comma.
- Make the subject and verb agree with each other, not with a word that comes between them.
- Be sure that a pronoun, a participial phrase, or an appositive refers clearly to the proper subject.
- Use parallel construction to make a strong point and create a smooth flow.
- Use the active voice unless you specifically need to use the passive.
- Omit unnecessary words.
