Commas Colons & Semicolons Jennifer Carnagie Sarah Jagot Andrea Sandles

The Comma Commas are needed in various situations. They are used to separate, enclose, and connect phrases. There are many different ways to use commas in each category, so we will focus on the most difficult and the most incorrectly used situations.

Commas: Separating Situations In introductory phrases, commas are used to separate the introductory phrase (when it consists of four or more words) from the rest of the sentence. Ex: Introductory phrase – Having driven nonstop most of the afternoon, we decided to spend the night in Tucumcari. – Like a prehistoric monument along I-40, the Cadillac Ranch outside Amarillo caught our attention.

Commas: Separating Situations (cont.) Commas are also used to separate contrasts in sentences. This can occur in the beginning or the end of a sentence. Ex: Contrasts – Despite personal differences, the partners finally agreed to a contract. – Think not about price when buying a suit, but of quality. Commas are used to separate quotes from the rest of the sentence as well. Ex: Quotes The lawyer kept repeating, “My client can’t be held responsible for that.” “Don’t tell me he can’t be held responsible,” retorted the judge.

Commas: Enclose Situations Commas in enclosed situations are used to close off nonessential information from the rest of the sentence. The sentence must make sense without the nonessential information. Ex: – The police officers, who had been carefully screened, marched in front. – The police officers marched in front. Tip: A comma is not needed when the information is essential to the sentence and when a clause begins with that. Incorrect: The bill, that was passed by the city council, will raise property taxes again. Correct: The bill that was passed by the city council will raise property taxes again.

Commas: Connecting Situations Commas in connecting situations are used to connect ideas together Commas are needed before coordinating conjunctions and, or, nor, for, but, yet, and so to form compound sentences. Ex: – Stocks have more long-term growth potential than bonds, but the risk is much higher. Commas are used to link items in a series of three or more. The last comma in the series is optional (but it is needed in academic papers). Ex: The group plans to travel by plane, by bus, and by canoe. The group plans to travel by plane, by bus and by canoe.

A mark of punctuation used after a statement (usually an independent clause) that introduces a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a series.

Uses of the Colon After an independent clause that precedes a list. To separate an explanation, rule, or example from a preceding independent clause. After the salutation of a business letter. In the heading of a business memo. Between the hour and the minutes when telling the time. As part of a title. In a bibliography between the place of publication and the name of the publisher.

Examples A colon can add emphasis to a word or phrase: As far as I am concerned, there is only one type of candy bar worth eating: snickers. Notice the emphasis that the colon puts on the word “snickers”. A colon can introduce an independent clause that amplifies or explains what precedes it: – I don’t like that store: the clothing is awful and there is often a long line to pay!

More Examples! A colon can introduce a list. It is often used with phrases like “as follows” and “the following” – Her paper analyzes three works of literature: Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby and The Odyssey. A colon can introduce a long or formal quotation: – He reminded us of Dr. Seuss’ famous words: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Right from Wrong! It is incorrect to use a colon to separate a verb from its subject: – INCORRECT: He plays: football, soccer, and baseball. – CORRECT: He plays many sports: football, soccer, and baseball. In this case a colon is needed after the independent clause. It is incorrect to use a colon to separate a preposition from its objects: – INCORRECT: I am afraid of: airplanes, spiders, and rats. – CORRECT: I am afraid of airplanes, spiders, and rats. In this case a colon is not needed.

REMEMBER The colon is used to indicate that an example or a list is about to follow. HOWEVER, the colon should ONLY be used if the list clarifies or illustrates the phrase preceding the colon. You see colons used all around you. When you look at the time or when you’re addressing a formal letter, you are using a colon!

The Semicolon A mark of punctuation used to connect independent clauses and indicating a closer relationship between the clauses than a period does.

What’s the point of a semicolon? 3 uses for the semicolon: To join two independent clauses that are closely related. To join two independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb or a transitional phrase (therefore, however, as a result, in fact, etc.) To separate items in a series when one or more of the items contain a comma. WHY

EXAMPLE “The ice cream truck man drove by my house today. *take a breath* He had big hairy knuckles.” With a semicolon, however, it would sound like this: “The ice cream truck man drove by my house today; he had big hairy knuckles.” -Basically what we did was eliminate the pause between the two statements without using words such as and, but, nor, or yet.

HOW How do I use a semicolon? If you have two independent clauses, meaning that they can stand alone as their own sentences, it is ok to use a semicolon. A semicolon can also team up with a transition, often, a conjunctive adverb to connect two sentences close in meaning. Example “My father does not approve of his mother cruising around town on a Harley motorcycle; however, Grandma has never cared what anyone thinks.”

EXAMPLE “My aunt had many puppies; she loved to play and take care of them.” This is an independent clause, meaning it could stand alone as a complete sentence. This is also an independent clause; it could exist without being attached to its predecessor. DON’T… Use it with conjunctions which are words like and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet.

WHEN Use a semicolon when you want to form a bond between two statements, typically when they are related to or contrast with one another. Example “I run everyday; it builds my muscles so that I'll be better conditioned for the race.” -This relationship between the two is strengthened when using a semicolon.

Internal Use a semicolon to connect sentences that contain internal punctuation. Example “When people agree on something, they’ll often shake hands; this means business.” -If you would have used a comma in this sentence it would have resulted in a comma splice. If you would have used a period you would have lost the connection between the two clauses. That is why you use a semicolon.

Super Use a semicolon as a super-comma. Example “While searching for a good place to get a burger, I traveled to Seattle, Washington; Tokyo, Japan; and London, England. -Use a semicolon if you need to make a list of items that are separated with a comma. This often occurs when listing locations, names, dates, and descriptions.

REMEMBER! Keep these three things in mind when you use a semicolon: The two main clauses that the semicolon joins should be closely related in meaning. Don't capitalize the word that follows the semicolon unless that word is a proper noun, one that is always capitalized. Limit your use of semicolons; you should not scatter them everywhere throughout your writing. Semicolons are like glasses of champagne; save them for special occasions.

Works Cited Ruszkiewicz, John J., Maxine Hairston, and Daniel E. Seward. Scott Foresman Writer. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, Print. Inman, Matthew. "The Oatmeal." How To Use a Semicolon. The Oatmeal, Web. 06 Apr Dignan, Jennifer. "Pause for Punctuation: THE SEMICOLON AND THE COLON. " Literary Cavalcade 1 Apr. 2005: Research Library, ProQuest. Web. 7 Apr "Section IV-Punctuation: Capitalization, the Colon vs. the Semicolon, the Hyphen and the Dash. " Literary Cavalcade 1 Jan. 2004: Research Library, ProQuest. Web. 7 Apr