Commas, Colons, & Semi Colons

Commas: Dependent Clauses When a dependent clause comes BEFORE an independent clause, you use a comma between the two clauses. – Example: If it is raining, we will not go outside. You do NOT use a comma when the dependent clause comes after the independent clause. – Example: We will not go outside if it is raining

Commas: Prepositional Phrases When a prepositional phrase begins a sentence, it should be followed by a comma – Example: From the river, the water could be heard. – Example: In the half-light of the morning, her shadow was barely visible. You do NOT use a comma with a prepositional phrase at any other time. – Example: I whispered in her ear. – Example: Someone brought me groceries from the market.

Commas: FANBOYS When a FANBOYS conjunction is used to link two independent clauses, it must be proceeded by a comma. – Sam is in the band, and he plays the trumpet. If a FANBOYS conjunction is present, but it isn’t joining two independent clauses, no comma should used – Example: Sam is in the band and plays the trumpet. – Example: She bought corn and bread from the store. – Example: She was at the party but did not enjoy it.

Commas: Lists This is a hotly contested issue, and it really depends on whom you ask. For the purposes of this classroom and this class, we will be punctuating this way. In a list of more than two items, always put a comma before the final “and”. – Example: She ate broccoli, carrots, and celery.

Commas: Serial Adjectives Sometimes we have more than one adjective modifying a noun. In this situation, we use a comma between the two adjectives if they are both of equal effect on the noun. – Example: She cooked soft, gooey brownies. The brownies were both soft and gooey. Both words act on the noun with equal importance. In this situation, we do NOT use a comma between two adjectives if the one closest to the noun has a greater effect on the noun. – Example: She ate a big turkey sandwich. If the second adjective and the noun could basically be thought of as a singular unit (in this example, turkey is a really important modifier on sandwich), then no comma should be used. As a trick, think about whether or not you could reasonably insert the word “and” between the two adjectives. If you could, then use a comma. If you couldn’t, then do NOT use a comma.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. Will you come if I drive?

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. Because it is raining we can’t play tennis.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. I’m always happy when we have cake.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. Are you mad at me because I told her?

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. On Wednesday we’ll be going to the dance.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. During dinner Mom asked about my grades.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. Tanya was working in the corn fields.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. I am sitting between the trees.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. Cats are nice and dogs are not.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. Mallory bought groceries but left them in the car.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. I am tired so I’m going to bed.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. She wanted to go yet it was very late.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. I’m very happy and excited about the trip.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. She ate mashed potatoes corn and turkey.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. I gave him a board game a book and candy for his birthday.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. There are cats dogs and birds at the pet shop.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. I like swimming in the lake taking walks on the beach and riding horses through the woods.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. She is a violent angry woman.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. They took a long winding route.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. Would you like some cold diet soda?

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. She was a good writing teacher.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. My mom has long straight hair.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. I am so angry at my mean older sister.

Commas Practice Add any commas that are needed. Explain how you know. She gave me fresh banana bread.

Semi Colons The function of a semi colon is to join two sentences (independent clause) when no conjunction is present. Basically, a semi colon replaces an end marker (period or exclamation point) to join two sentences. – Example: Tina plays the piano; she has been playing for many years. – Example: I can’t believe she said that; that’s not what I meant at all.

Semi Colons Practice Determine whether a semi colon is needed or a comma. Explain how you know. She bought a dress it was on sale.

Semi Colons Practice Determine whether a semi colon is needed or a comma. Explain how you know. Someone called my name but I did not hear them.

Semi Colons Practice Determine whether a semi colon is needed or a comma. Explain how you know. He delivered a package it was for me.

Semi Colons Practice Determine whether a semi colon is needed or a comma. Explain how you know. She sent me a letter and I opened it.

Semi Colons Practice Determine whether a semi colon is needed or a comma. Explain how you know. They baked a cake it was hot.

Semi Colons Practice Determine whether a semi colon is needed or a comma. Explain how you know. She was ready he wasn’t.

Colons: Lists A colon is used when you are further specifying what you are specifically talking about. – Example: She had to buy groceries: milk, eggs, and butter. – Example: The new roommate had many bad habits: not doing the dishes, snoring, and throwing crazy parties.

Colons Practice Insert the colon needed and any commas. I like many types of fiction science fiction horror and fantasy.

Colons Practice Insert the colon needed and any commas. She needs many things water food and air.

Colons Practice Insert the colon needed and any commas. I will need a few things for the school year a new backpack a binder with a clear cover and a few packages of paper.

Colons Practice Insert the colon needed and any commas. She has many fears that she’ll fall off of a cliff spiders biting her and being called on in Senora Garcia’s class.

Colons Practice Insert the colon needed and any commas. She has two main interests hunting and fishing.