1. Commas, Colons, and Semi-Colons
Grammar
Commas, Colons, and Semi-Colons

2. Commas: They Save Lives
It’s true. A comma can be the difference between having dinner and being dinner, but how?

3. Let’s eat, Grandpa.

4. Let’s eat Grandpa!

5. Which Does Grandpa Like?
Grandpa would sure appreciate it if you eat dinner with him instead of eating him for dinner….
Commas have multiple uses (which is why they’re often misused)

6. Items in a Series
Commas are used to separate items in a series of three or more.
He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base.
Many people have not heard of Moe, Larry, and Curley.
While at the store, she bought strawberries, macaroni and cheese, and dryer sheets.

7. Connecting Two Independent Clauses
When putting together two independent clauses, use a comma with a coordinating conjunction. You only do this if you have TWO sentences.
He asked her to prom, but she said no.
The comma should ALWAYS come before the conjunction.
Should the following sentence get a comma?
John was supposed to go home but went to the mall instead.
NO.

8. Set Off Introductory Elements
Taking a part of the sentence that could fit in later and moving it to the beginning to introduce the idea.
Stretching across the Connecticut River, many people come to visit The Founder’s Bridge.
Running out into the rain, Kelly realized she forgot her umbrella.

9. Set Off Parenthetical
A “Parenthetical” is a piece added to a sentence to give more information but is not necessary to the overall meaning.
Eleanor, his wife of thirty years, decided to open her own business.
The Simpsons, which has been on for twenty-four years, started on The Tracey Ullman Show.
Although James Hong plays Chinese and Japanese characters in movies and on TV, he is from Minneapolis, Minnesota originally.

10. Parenthetical Cont.
Sometimes the “Parenthetical” element is something simple
The Twins were leading the league in hitting at the end of May, but of course, they always do well in Spring.
We visited Hartford, Connecticut, last summer.
The world will end on December 21, 2012, according to some believers.

11. Separate Coordinate Adjectives
Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal (hence "co"-ordinate) status in describing the noun. Another way of saying this is neither adjective is subordinate to the other.
Ask one of two things:
Does it makes sense if order is reversed
Does if make sense if “and” or “but” is used.
Lord Kensington is a tall, distinguished, good-looking fellow.
He often wore a gray wool suit.

12. To Set Off Quoted Elements
When working with quotes, it is necessary to know when commas will be needed.
Summing up this argument, Peter Coveney writes, "The purpose and strength of the romantic image of the child had been above all to establish a relation between childhood and adult consciousness” (Coveney 112).
"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many things.”
"I should like to buy an egg, please," she said timidly. "How do you sell them?”

13. Quotes Continued….
Do NOT use commas when your quote is introduced with THAT or if part of a larger structure and not cited.
Peter Coveney writes that ”The purpose and strength of . . .”
We often say "Sorry" when we don't really mean it.
You can use a colon instead of an introductory comma if your lead in is more formal or very long (more on that during The Colon).

14. To Avoid Confusion Use a comma to help the reader understand a point.
To Channing, Tatum had been a friend and confidant.
For most the year is already finished.
For most, the year is already finished.
Shelley having drowned, Byron presided over the funeral ceremonies on the beach.
VS.
Shelley having drowned Byron presided over the funeral ceremonies on the beach.

15. To Indicate Pause or Contrast
If there is a contrast between items, a pause, or shift in tone, a comma needs to be inserted.
Some say the world will end in ice, not fire.
The chimpanzee seemed reflective, almost human.
You're one of the senator's close friends, aren't you?

16. The Semicolon (;)
The semicolon is not quite a comma, but it also is not quite a period.
There were citizens from Bangor, Maine; Hartford, Connecticut; Boston, Massachusetts; and Newport, Rhode Island.
The sweaters I bought today were purple, blue, and green; yellow, white, and red; and pink, black, and grey.
I am going to visit Anna in St. Louis next weekend; we’ll get to see the Arch, Busch Stadium, and the Landing.
My grandmother seldom goes to bed this early; she's afraid she'll miss out on something.

17. The Colon (:)
The Colon is like a gate. It’s used before a list, an explanation that is preceded by a clause that can stand by itself, after an independent clause when introducing a quotation, or between two independent clauses when you want to emphasize the second clause.
The catering facility offers the following entrees: fried catfish, grilled chicken, pan-seared salmon, and sirloin steak.
There is only one thing left to do now: confess while you still have time.
My teacher’s remark on my final essay was very complimentary: “This essay coherently analyzes musical trends of the late 20th century.”
I don’t understand why everyone shops at that store: everything there is so expensive.

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