Why do we love them so much? Commas and Semicolons Why do we love them so much? Relationships

I Commas [,] Commas clarify meaning and set sentence meter for readers.

Commas Rule! (Comma Rules) 1. Use commas to separate items in a list. I can’t believe you went to Disneyland, Six Flags, and Universal Studios all in one day! He likes mustard, onions and chili on his hotdogs.

Comma Rules (cont.) 2. Use commas after longer introductory phrases and clauses. After we completed our whirlwind visit to all three amusement parks, we fell into a dead sleep for 12 hours.

Comma Rules (cont.) 3. Use commas after shorter introductory phrases and clauses if necessary to avoid confusion. To Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse is no stranger. To chili, hotdogs are a natural accompaniment.

Comma Rules (cont.) 4. Use commas to set off appositives and appositive phrases that are not necessary to the meaning of the sentence. Mickey Mouse’s main squeeze, Minnie, is one cute mouse.

Comma Rules (cont.) 5. Use commas to separate two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. We knew it would be a long day, but we decided to go to all three amusement parks anyway. He roasted five hotdogs at the bonfire, and he also set a hay bale on fire.

Comma Rules (cont.) 6. Use commas to set off words used in direct address. Ms. Jacobs, please explain the assignment. Do you know who Santa Anna was, Beth? You’re right, Inga, to say he was a Mexican general.

Comma Misuse Do not use a comma to separate two independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction. This creates a comma splice (as seen below). We went to Disneyland, we went to Six Flags. He ate six hotdogs, he got a stomach ache.

Comma Misuse (cont.) Do not use a comma when a subordinate clause is inside or at the end of a sentence. If the subordinate clause is used at the beginning of the sentence, a comma is required. We went to all three theme parks because we were bored. Because he was hungry, he ate six hotdogs.

Our Friend, the Semicolon Let’s begin with a simple sentence: Grandma stays up too late.

Our Friend, the Semicolon Now let’s expand on that a bit: Grandma stays up too late. She’s afraid she’s going to miss something. This is OK. Two independent ideas, separated by a period.

Our Friend, the Semicolon What if we try to combine the two ideas? Grandma stays up too late, she’s afraid she’s going to miss something. Something’s wrong. We connected two independent clauses with only a comma. The dreaded COMMA SPLICE!

Our Friend, the Semicolon We could insert a coordinating conjunction: Grandma is afraid she’ll miss something, so she stays up too late. This is better! Note the comma that accompanies the coordinating conjunction.

Our Friend, the Semicolon We could also try subordinating one of these ideas: Grandma stays up too late because she’s afraid she’s going to miss something. Notice that the comma disappeared. One idea has become a dependent, or subordinate clause.

Our Friend, the Semicolon But let’s try something else. ENTER THE SEMICOLON !

Our Friend, the Semicolon Let’s try using a semicolon in this sentence. Grandma stays up too late; she’s afraid she’s going to miss something. Notice there is no conjunction used with this semicolon – neither subordinating nor coordinating—just the semicolon, all by itself.

Our Friend, the Semicolon Rule: Use a semicolon between parts of a compound sentence if they are not joined by and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet. Todd’s report is about Arizona; mine is about Utah. The rain clouds are moving in quickly; let’s head home.