2. Clutter Busters A lesson on commas, colons, and semicolons

3. Commas, Colons, and Semicolons Commas are used to separate ideas, to set off special elements, and when you combine 2 sentences with a conjunction. A colon is used to introduce lists of items as long as you have a complete sentence first A semicolon is used to join two related sentences, each with balanced meaning, when you have a list that has commas, and when you have a comma in the first sentence then you use a semicolon and a conjunction

4. Commas Commas are used to separate ideas, to set off special elements, and when you combine 2 sentences with a conjunction.

5. Commas are used to separate ideas. Incorrect: Eric is bringing candles baskets napkins and plastic plates to the park. Correct: Eric is bringing candles, baskets, napkins, and plastic plates to the park.

6. Commas are used to set off special elements. Incorrect: Yesterday my team won the game. Correct: Yesterday, my team won the game.

7. Commas are used to combine two sentences when a conjunction is used Incorrect: Mr. Smith guarded the halls really well but I got past him. Correct: Mr. Smith guarded the halls really well, but I got past him.

8. A colon is used to introduce lists of items when there is a sentence b4 the list. Incorrect: The following items will be required at camp, sleeping bag, tent, hiking shoes, and compass. Correct: The following items will be required at camp: sleeping bag, tent, hiking shoes, and compass.

9. A semi-colon is used to join two related sentences, each with balanced meaning. Incorrect: The field trip to the park should be fun we are all going to bring a game to play. Correct: The field trip to the park should be fun; we are all going to bring a game to play.

10. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A. Among the books were the following items, a pen, a pencil, a pad of paper, and folder. B. Among the books were the following items: a pen, a pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder. C.Among the books were the following items; a pen, pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder. D.Among the books were the following items - a pen, pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder.

11. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A. Among the books were the following items, a pen, a pencil, a pad of paper, and folder. B. Among the books were the following items: a pen, a pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder. C.Among the books were the following items; a pen, pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder. D.Among the books were the following items - a pen, pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder.

12. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A. Open your folder, take out your homework and pass it forward. B.Open your folder; take out your homework; and pass it forward. C.Open your folder, take out your homework, and pass it forward. D.Open your folder: take out your homework and pass it forward.

13. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A. Open your folder, take out your homework and pass it forward. B.Open your folder; take out your homework; and pass it forward. C.Open your folder, take out your homework, and pass it forward. D.Open your folder: take out your homework and pass it forward.

14. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A.Mario likes to play- football, tennis, baseball and volleyball. B.Mario likes to play football, tennis, baseball, and volleyball. C.Mario likes to play: football, tennis, baseball and volleyball. D.Mario likes to play; football, tennis, baseball, and volleyball.

15. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A.Mario likes to play- football, tennis, baseball and volleyball. B.Mario likes to play football, tennis, baseball, and volleyball. C.Mario likes to play: football, tennis, baseball and volleyball. D.Mario likes to play; football, tennis, baseball, and volleyball.

16. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A.Please take out the trash, and don't forget to put the lid on the can. B.Please take out, the trash, and don't forget to put the lid on the can. C.Please, take out the trash and don't, forget to put the lid on the can. D.Please, take out the trash, and don't forget to put the lid on, the can.

17. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A.Please take out the trash, and don't forget to put the lid on the can. B.Please take out, the trash, and don't forget to put the lid on the can. C.Please, take out the trash and don't, forget to put the lid on the can. D.Please, take out the trash, and don't forget to put the lid on, the can.

18. Choose the sentence with punctuation errors. A.The waitress wanted shoes, ties, and lettuce; but the store did not have any. B.Bobby asked for eggs and toast for breakfast. C.Henry took a long nap but he was still tired. D.Mrs. Todd calmed the excited, noisy children.

19. Choose the sentence with punctuation errors. A.The waitress asked, "Would you like anything else?" B.Bobby asked for eggs and toast for breakfast. C.Henry took a long nap but he was still tired. D.Mrs. Todd calmed the excited, noisy children.

20. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A.I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky, Portland, Oregon, and Sacramento, California. B.I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky- Portland, Oregon- and Sacramento, California. C.I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky; Portland, Oregon; and Sacramento, California. D.I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky: Portland, Oregon: and Sacramento, California.

21. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A.The field trip to the park should be fun we are all going to bring a game to play. B. The field trip to the park should be fun, we are all going to bring; a game to play. C. The field trip to the park should be fun we; are all going to bring a game to play. D. The field trip to the park should be fun; we are all going to bring a game to play.

22. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A.The field trip to the park should be fun we are all going to bring a game to play. B. The field trip to the park should be fun, we are all going to bring; a game to play. C. The field trip to the park should be fun we; are all going to bring a game to play. D. The field trip to the park should be fun; we are all going to bring a game to play.