Full stop (.) - Ends complete sentences.
Comma (,) - Separates items in lists, joins clauses, sets off introductory phrases. Example: However, the results were inconclusive.
Semicolon (;) - Links related simple sentences; separates complex list items. Example: The study had limitations; however, the findings remain significant.
Colon (:) - Introduces lists, explanations, or quotes. Example: The research examined three factors: age, gender, and income.
Parentheses/brackets ( ) - Additional information, in-text citations. Example: This phenomenon is well-documented (Brown, 2022; White, 2023).
Hyphen (-) - Joins compound words and prefixes. Example: well-established theory, post-pandemic analysis.
Ellipsis (...) - Shows omitted words in quotes or incomplete thoughts. Example: "The theory suggests that students... perform better with feedback.“
Note: Dash (–) Question mark (?) Exclamation mark (!) are generally not appropriate for academic writing, so were not explained here. They’re useful in texts!
1. Comma splices
Common issue: Joining two complete sentences with only a comma
Example: The study was comprehensive, it included 500 participants.
The fix:
Add a conjunction: The study was comprehensive, and it included 500 participants.
Use a semicolon: The study was comprehensive; it included 500 participants.
Separate sentences with a full stop: The study was comprehensive. It included 500 participants.
2. Run-on sentences
What it is: Cramming too many ideas into one sentence
Example: The research methodology involved surveys and interviews and focus groups and the participants were selected from three universities across different states and the data collection took six months.
The fix:
The research methodology involved surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Participants were selected from three universities across different states, and data collection took six months.
3. Apostrophe confusion
Key rules:
It's = it is or it has (It's important to proofread.)
Its = belonging to it (The study has its limitations.)
Plurals = no apostrophe (The students submitted their essays.)
Possession = add apostrophe + s (The student's essay was excellent.)
Plural possessives = add apostrophe after the s (The students' essays were submitted on time.)
Compound possessives = apostrophe on the last word only (Smith and Jones's study)
Common mistake: Decades: 1990s (not 1990's)
