COMMAS, COLONS, AND SEMICOLONS

COLONS A colon is a punctuation mark used to introduce a list, especially after statements that use the following, as follows, or namely. I requested the following: your name, your address and your phone number.

MORE COLONS NEVER use a colon DIRECTLY after a verb or prepostion!! My toolbox contains: a hammer, nails, and a tape measure. We went with: Sarah, John, and Tara.

COLONS…. Use a colon in a sentence to add detail (only if there is a complete sentence before the colon. The reason for her good grades was simple: she studied.

SEMICOLONS Use a semicolon when separating TWO COMPLETE SENTENCES WITHOUT A CONJUNCTION Carlos went to the store; he forgot the milk.

MORE SEMICOLONS Use a semicolon before CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS like also, consequently, finally, furthermore, hence, however, incidentally, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, nevertheless, next, therefore, thus. Kate baked a cake; however, she forgot to add the eggs.

SEMICOLONS…. Use a semicolon in a list that already has commas. Invited to the party were Sarah, the singer; Joe, the drummer; and Ron, the guitar player.

COMMAS Use a comma to separate words and phrases in a series of 3 or more. Mom, Dad, and Kole went to the movie.

MORE COMMAS Use a comma after interjections and direct addresses. Oh, I understand now. Wow, that is a great sweater. Sandy, can you get my jacket?

COMMAS…. Use commas to separate interrupters (interrupting phrases) from the rest of the sentence. He was, I believe, an amateur swimmer.

COMMAS Use commas to set off appositive phrases from the rest of the sentence is the phrase is not necessary. An appositive phrase is a noun or noun phrase that renames the noun before it. Vanessa, my favorite cousin, likes to surf.

MORE COMMAS Use commas when writing dates. On October 5, 2011, we took notes on commas.

COMMAS…. Use commas between cities and states. We go to school in Lincoln, Alabama.

COMMAS Use commas when writing direct quotations. His barber said, ‘I don’t have time today,’ so he left. ‘Do you,’ he asked, ‘want some ice cream?’

MORE COMMAS Use a comma when connecting two complete sentences WITH A CONJUNCTION He went to the store; but he forgot milk.

COMMAS…. Use a comma to separate a sentence fragment from a complete sentence. After searching for hours in the cold, we found the lost kitten.

COMMAS Use a comma AFTER conjunctive adverbs. The game started at 6:00; however, we did not arrive until 7:00.