Grammar boot camp Pass in Review: Punctuation (click mouse to proceed)

Your Mission: To Study the Comma To Study the Semicolon To Study the Colon To Study the Dash To Study the Hyphen To Exercise your Writing Muscles This presentation is enhanced with “Question and Answer” slides. To access, simply click on the words that are highlighted and underlined.

Comma, Rule 1:Separate Three or More Elements (words, phrases, clauses) in a Series.phrasesclauses Examples: I ordered a ring, a necklace, and a scarf. The dog ran down the stairs, through the living room, and out the door. He studied his notes, he read his textbook, and he completed his homework assignments.

Comma, Rule 2:Set Off Most Introductory Elements (transitions, phrases, dependent clauses).transitionsdependent clauses Examples: Indeed, we all agreed with Tom’s decision. After four years of intense training, the gymnast was ready to compete internationally. When Amy finished painting her room, she returned the borrowed ladder.

Comma, Rule 3:Use Before a Coordinating Conjunction to Join Independent Clauses.Coordinating Conjunction Independent Clauses Example: Larry received an excellent job offer, but he rejected it.

Comma, Rule 4:Set Off Nonessential Elements (appositives, phrases, clauses).appositives Examples: Alice Jones, a waitress, won the contest. Diane Ortega, living at 2401 Lakeview, placed second. Philadelphia, which is my hometown, is located in southern Pennsylvania. Hint: An element is nonessential if the meaning of the sentence is not changed when the element is removed.

Comma, DO NOT Use Commas for Essential Elements Examples: All students who complete the assignment will get to go. Children under five years old enter free. Hint: An element is essential if the meaning of the sentence is changed when the element is removed.

Comma, Rule 5:Set Off Transitional Words. Examples: Many people, consequently, have cell phones. The team, first of all, must pick a captain. Curling is a popular sport, nevertheless.

Comma, Rule 6:To Prevent Misreading. Examples: When the lightning struck, James Harvey fainted. When the lightning struck James, Harvey fainted.

Semicolon ; Rule 1:Join Independent Clauses Not Joined by a Comma and Coordinating Conjunction. Example: The children enjoyed the circus ; they liked the clown act most of all.

Semicolon ; Rule 2:Use Before a Conjunctive Adverb to Join Two Independent Clauses.Conjunctive Adverb Example: Jessica likes to play the piano ; however, she prefers to play the violin. NOTE: A comma follows the conjunctive adverb.

Semicolon ; Rule 3:Use Before a Coordinating Conjunction to Join Two Independent Clauses Only When the Clauses Have Internal Commas. Example: Ray can travel by bus, car or plane ; but, he would rather travel by plane. NOTE: A comma follows the coordinating conjunction.

Semicolon ; Rule 4:Separate Items in a Series When the Items Have Internal Commas. Example: I talked to James, my friend ; Sarah, his sister ; and Sam, Sarah’s son.

colon : Rule 1:Introduce a List. Example: Bring the following : forks, knives, and spoons.

colon : Rule 2:Introduce a Second Main Clause Which Explains the First. Example: Her excuse is valid : she does not have transportation.

colon : Rule 3:Emphasize a Following Appositive. Example: He had only one motive : love.

Dash -- Rule 1:Set Off a Parenthetical Element. Example: He told her — believe it or not — to leave.

Dash -- Rule 2:Emphasize an Appositive. Example: English, history, and science — all are required.

Hyphen - Rule 1:Join Compound Words Functioning as a Single Unit. Example: May I introduce my mother - in - law? Donny has a better - late - than - never disposition. NOTE: The hyphen is shorter than the dash.

Hyphen - Rule 2:Join Fractions and Compound Numbers from 21 to 99. Example: He gave me two - thirds of his pay check. Nathan is twenty - one years old today.

Hyphen - Rule 3:Use with Prefixes Ex- and Self-. Example: Mr. McCaslin is the ex - president of the company. Self - denial builds character.

Exercise Your Muscles Add the missing punctuation marks to the following sentences: 1. Doris went to work but Janis stayed home. 2. Three guiding principles direct his life faith hope and love. 3. They were equally fond of swimming dancing and riding. 4. The host was generous he served caviar and champagne.

Answer key: Add the missing punctuation marks to the following sentences: 1. Doris went to work, but Janis stayed home. 2. Three guiding principles direct his life : faith, hope, and love. 3. They were equally fond of swimming, dancing, and riding. 4. The host was generous ; he served caviar and champagne.

Congratulations! You have successfully completed Pass in Review: Punctuation of Grammar Boot Camp. Sign up for other sessions of Grammar Boot Camp at the Stone Writing Center’s Website:

Q: What is a Phrase? A: A phrase is a group of related words that does not contain a subject nor a verb. Common phrases include prepositional phrases, infinitive phrases, participial phrases, and gerund phrases. For more information on phrases, refer to Building Muscle: Phrases and Clauses of Grammar Boot Camp. Return to presentation.

Q: What is a Clause? A: A clause is a group of related words that contains a subject, verb, and complete thought. Two main clauses are independent clauses and dependent clauses. For more information on clauses, refer to Building Muscle: Phrases and Clauses of Grammar Boot Camp. Return to presentation.

Q: What is a Transition? A: A transition links one idea with another. The following is a list of common transitional expressions: afterwardfirstin summary againfor exampleon the other hand alsoin additionnext as a resultin factthen earlierin the meantimetherefore Return to presentation.

Q: What is a Dependent Clause? A: A dependent clause is a group of related words containing a subject and a verb; it does not, however, contain a complete thought. Thus, it cannot stand alone. For more information on dependent clauses, sign up for Building Muscle: Phrases and Clauses of Grammar Boot Camp. Return to presentation.

Q: What is a Coordinating Conjunction? A: A coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses as well as other sentence elements of equal weight or function. The following is a list of coordinating conjunctions, commonly referred to as the “FANBOYS”: for and nor butFANBOYS (taken from the first letter of each word) or yet so Return to presentation.

Q: What is an Independent Clause? A: An independent clause is a group of related words containing a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. For more information on independent clauses, sign up for Building Muscle: Phrases and Clauses of Grammar Boot Camp. Return to presentation.

Q: What is an Appositive? A: An appositive renames a noun or a pronoun. Appositives appear immediately following the word they rename. Return to presentation.

Q: What is a Conjunctive Adverb? A: A conjunctive adverb indicates a relation between independent clauses. The following is a list of common conjunctive adverbs: accordingly consequentlyindeed alsofinallyinstead anywayfurthermorelikewise as a resulthencemeanwhile besideshowevermoreover certainlyincidentallynevertheless Return to presentation.