It’s well-known that the AP Stylebook rules omit the serial comma, however, there are some lesser-known but important exceptions that help avoid confusion.
Articles Categorized Punctuation Points
Commas, semicolons, periods, dashes—we love all the punctuation marks. You can learn to use them effectively with these articles.
Clarifying the Comma: Independent Clauses & Compound Predicates
The rules of using the comma are numerous, complicated, and come with many exceptions. They also remind us of why editors are so important!
When to Use a Comma Before “But”
A reader once asked me about using a comma before the word “but.” Comma usage is a frequent cause for debate amongst editors, so let’s dive in!
Such Examples as These
Lots can be learned from the experiences of others. An editing forum sparked this deep dive into using a comma for restrictive and nonrestrictive phrases.
Hyphenating X-Year-Olds Part 2: What We Actually Do
Would you write 56-years-old, or 56 years old? There’s more than one answer, so let’s investigate why so many writers disagree.
Hyphenating X-Year Olds Part 1: What the Experts Say
Would you write 56-years-old, or 56 years old? Hyphenation can be confusing for editors, especially when certain style guides disagree.
Dash It All
Hyphens and dashes are common pieces of punctuation that can really improve your writing—if you know how to use them.
Advanced Apostrophe Rules: Possession, Omission, and Plurals
Become a star punctuation user! Learn advanced apostrophe rules about showing possession, omission, and plurality.
Punctuation Point: Joining Independent Clauses
You can join independent clauses in any number of ways. The use of commas is the most common method, but not the only one.
Punctuation Point: How to Use Brackets
Brackets are those square parentheses next to the letter P on most keyboards: [ ]. Do you know how to use them properly?
