The comma and semicolon
LCL266 Composición escrita en ingles -2025
The comma
commas before a coordinating conjunction that links two
independent clauses
USING COMMAS BEFORE A COORDINATING CONJUNCTION THAT LINKS TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
Never use a comma when a coordinating conjunction links only two words,
two phrases, or two dependent clauses.
Use a comma when a coordinating conjunction links two or more
independent
clauses.
Habitat for Humanity depends on volunteers for labor, and donations to help with its construction projects.
NO
YES
Habitat for Humanity depends on volunteers for labor and donations to help with its construction projects.
- The sky turned dark gray, and the wind died suddenly.
- The November morning had just begun, but it looked like dusk.
Never put a comma after a coordinating conjunction that joins
independent clauses.
NO
A house is renovated in two weeks but, a loft takes a week.
A house is renovated in two weeks, but a loft takes a week.
YES
Comma splice & Fused sentence
Never use a comma alone between independent clauses, or you’ll create the
error known as a comma splice.
NO
Five inches of snow fell in two hours, driving was hazardous.
YES
Five inches of snow fell in two hours, and driving was hazardous.
If you don’t place a comma before the coordinating conjunction, the mistake is known as Fused sentence.
Shopkeepers closed their stores early for they wanted to get home.
USING COMMAS AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY CLAUSE, PHRASE, OR WORD
A comma follows any introductory word, phrase, or clause that precedes an
independent clause.
Although most postcards cost only a quarter, one recently sold
for thousands of dollars. Before 1700, sugar refineries appeared in London and New York. For example, animals are timeless favorites. However, most cards show local landmarks.
Place a comma after an introductory interjection, a word that conveys
strong, sudden emotion: Oh, are you allergic to cats? Well, you can’t stop sneezing.
Using commas after an introductory clause, phrase, or word Predictably, many dieters say sugar craving id their worst problem.
Before 1700, sugar refineries apperared in London and New York. Beginning in infancy, we develop tastes for sweet foods.
Sweets being the temtation for many adults, most parents avoid commercial baby food that contain sugar.
Although fructose comes from fruit, it’s still sugar.
Nevertheless, many people think fructose isn’t harmful.
To satisfy a craving for ice cream, even timid people sometimes brave midnight streets. Commas tell the reader that the introductory clause has come to a close and that the main part of the sentence is about to start.
.
WHAT IS AN ABSOLUTE PHRASE?
Phrase containing a subject and a participle that modifies an entire sentence: The semester [subject] being [present participle of be] over, the campus looks deserted. Its branches covered in icicles, the tall oak stood in our yard. Chandler proposed Monica on her birthday, her heart filled with joy.
Use a comma before and after a sentence modifier in the middle
of a sentence.
If the sentence modifier is placed at the beginning of a sentence, follow it with a comma. When the sentence modifier ends a sentence, put a comma before it.
- By the way, the parade begins at noon.
- The parade, by the way, begins at noon.
- The parade begins at noon, by the way.
- However, our float isn’t finished.
- Our float, however, isn’t finished.
- Our float isn’t finished, however.
USING COMMAS TO SEPARATE ITEMS IN A SERIES
A series is a group of three or more elements—words, phrases, or clauses—
that match in grammatical form and are of equal importance in a sentence.
Culture is a way of thinking, feeling, believing
In a series, never use a comma before the first item or after the last
item, unless a different rule makes it necessary.
Artists, writers, and poets, have engaged in daydreaming
NO
Artists, writers, and poets have engaged in daydreaming
YES
Consider the difference in the following:
Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann Lee and Kim.
Last month, Alex dated Mary, Ann, Lee, and Kim.
Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann, Lee, and Kim.
commas with coordinate and cumulative adjectives
Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives of equal weight that modify a noun. Contrarily, cumulative adjectives build
meaning from word to word, as they move toward the noun
How to recognize when adjectives are coordinate and when they aren’t? Test it!
If either one of these tests works, the adjectives are coordinate and require a
comma between them.
- Can the order of the adjectives be reversed without changing the meaning
or creating nonsense? If yes, use a comma.
The concert featured new several bands.
NO
The huge, restless crowd waited for the concert to begin. (Restless, huge still carries the same meaning, these are coordinate adjectives.)
YES
commas with coordinate and cumulative adjectives
Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives of equal weight that modify a noun. Contrarily, cumulative adjectives build
meaning from word to word, as they move toward the noun
How to recognize when adjectives are coordinate and when they aren’t? Test it!
If either one of these tests works, the adjectives are coordinate and require a
comma between them.
- Can and be sensibly inserted between the adjectives? If yes, use a comma.
The concert featured several and new bands.
NO
The huge and restless crowd waited (Modifier huge and restless makes sense, these are coordinate adjectives)
YES
commas with coordinate and cumulative adjectives
Don’t put a comma after a final coordinate adjective.
Hundreds of roaring, cheering, yelling, fans filled the stadium.
NO
Hundreds of roaring, cheering, yelling fans filled the stadium.
YES
So remember.... In a pair of coordinate adjectives, each adjective modifies a noun on its own. Therefore, separate them with commas to indicate that they apply to the noun (or pronoun) equally.
These drawings describe a quick, simple solution to the drainage problem.
It was a senseless, dangerous mission.
Another very effective is...
The adjectives can be used in the comparative/superlative or be modified with ‘very’, ‘quite’ etc.
Fans cheered as the pulsating, rhythmic music filled the stadium. Pulsating and rhythmic are coordinate adjectives. Each band had a distinctive musical style. Distinctive and musical aren’t coordinate adjectives.
USING COMMAS TO SET OF NONRESTRICTIVE ELEMENTS
A restrictive element narrows or restricts the meaning of its
antecedent
to a particular person or class.E.g: Don’t eat tomatoes that are canned A nonrestrictive element describes but does not restrict the meaning of its antecedent. E.g: Berries, which sweeten your breakfast, are highly nutritious.
Do not use commas
Restrictive element
Nonrestrictive element
Use commas
NO
Someone, named Princess, canceled the concert.
YES
Someone named Princess canceled the concert.
Using commas with non restrictive elements
RESTRICTIVE ELEMENTS Some people in my neighborhood enjoy jogging. [The reader needs the
information in my neighborhood to know which people enjoy jogging. The
information is essential, so no commas are used.] Some people who are in excellent physical condition enjoy jogging. [The
reader needs the information who are in excellent physical condition to
know which people enjoy jogging. The information is essential, so no commas
are used.] The agricultural scientist Wendy Singh has developed a new fertilization
technique. [Wendy Singh is essential to identify exactly which agricultural
scientist developed the new technique, so no commas are used.]
NONRESTRICTIVE ELEMENTS
An energetic person, Anna Hom enjoys jogging. [Without knowing that Anna Hom is an energetic person, the reader can understand that she enjoys jogging. The information is nonessential, so a comma is used.] Anna Hom, who is in excellent physical condition, enjoys jogging. [Without knowing Anna Hom’s physical condition, the reader can understand that Anna Hom enjoys jogging. The information is nonessential, so commas are used.] Anna Hom enjoys jogging, which is also Adam’s favorite pastime. [Without knowing about Adam’s favorite pastime, the reader can understand that Anna Hom enjoys jogging. The information is nonessential, so commas are used.] The agricultural scientist, a new breed of farmer, explains how to control a farming environment. [Without knowing that the scientist is a new breed of farmer, the reader can understand that the agricultural scientist explains how to control a farming environment. The information is nonessential, so commas are used.]
Which can be either restrictive or nonrestrictive.
That is always restrictive and should not be set off with commas.
Drivers who have been convicted of drunken driving should lose their licenses. Drivers, who have been convicted of drunken driving, should lose their licenses. The bus drivers rejecting the management offer remained on strike The bus drivers, rejecting the management offer, remained on strike
how do commas set off parenthetical expressions, contrasts, words of direct address, and tag sentences?
When you use parenthetical expressions, contrasts, direct addresses, or tag sentences, you insert information that is not essential to the principal message of your sentence. Set off such information with commas. [Parenthetical expressions are “asides.”]
American farmers (according to U.S. government figures) export more wheat than they sell at home.
A major drought, sad to say, wiped out this year's wheat crop.
how do commas set off parenthetical expressions, contrasts, words of direct address, and tag sentences?
USE COMMAS TO SET OFF EXPRESSIONS OF CONTRAST, WHICH STATE WHAT IS NOT THE CASE
Feeding the world's population is a serious, though not impossible, problem.
We must battle world hunger continuously, not only as famine strikes.
how do commas set off parenthetical expressions, contrasts, words of direct address, and tag sentences?
USE COMMAS TO SET OFF WORDS OF DIRECT ADDRESS, WHICH NAME THE PERSON OR GROUP BEING SPOKEN TO (ADDRESSED)
Join me, brother and sisters, to end hunger.
Your contribution to the Relief Fund, Steve, will help us greatly.
how do commas set off parenthetical expressions, contrasts, words of direct address, and tag sentences?
A tag sentence ends with a "tag", an attached phrase or question. Set off a tag with a comma. When a tag is a question, the sentence ends with a question mark.
People will give blood regularly, I hope.
The response to the blood drive was impressive, wasn't it?
The drought has ended, hasn't it?
COMMAS WITH QUOTED WORDS
Use commas to set off expressions (such as he wrote or she proclaimed) that accompany DIRECT DISCOURSE.
"I love no love," proclaimed the poet Mary Coleridge, "but thee."
DO NOT USE commas when the quoted words are blended into the grammatical structure of the sentence (INDIRECT QUOTATION), usually with as and that.
The duke describes the duchess as "too soon made glad".
“O Romeo! Romeo!,” whispered Juliet from her window
If the quoted words end with an exclamation point or question mark, keep the original punctuation.
"O Romeo! Romeo!" whispered Juliet from her window.
COMMAS WITH SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS AND PREPOSITIONS
Never put a comma after a SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION or a PREPOSITION, unless another rule makes it necessary.
Although, the storm brought high winds, it did no damage.
Although the storm brought high winds, it did no damage.
People expected worse between, the high winds and the heavy downpour.
People expected worse between the high winds and the heavy downpour.
Commas with dates
- Use a comma between the date and the year
E.g: July 20, 1969.
- Between the day and the date
E.g: Sunday, July 20.
- Within a sentence, use a comma on both sides of the year in a full date
E.g: Americans sat near a TV set on July 20, 1969, to watch the lunar landing.
NEVER use a comma when only the month and year, or the month and day, are given. Moreover, never use a comma between the season and year.
YES
People knew that one day in July 1969 would change the world.
News coverage was especially heavy on July 21.
YES
In summer 1969 a man walked on the moon.
YES
commas and numbers
Do's
Don'ts
- Counting from right to left, put a comma after every three digits in numbers with more than four digits.
E.g: 156,567,066
- A comma is optional in most four-digit numbers (Be consistent with your writing!)
E.g: 1776 potatoes or 1,776 potatoes
- Use a comma to separate related measurements written as words.
E.g: Five feet, four inches
- Use a comma to separate a scene from an act in a play.
E.g: Act II, scene IV (or act 2, scene 4)
- Use a comma to separate references to a page and a line.
E.g: Page 10, line 6
- Never use a comma in a four-digit year.
E.g: 1990
- Never use a comma in an address of four digits or more.
E.g: 12161 Dean
Drive
- Never use a comma in a page number of four digits or more.
E.g: See page
1338
Commas in NAmes and Places
When an abbreviated academic degree (MD, PhD) comes after a person’s
name, use a comma between the name and the title: Angie Eng, MD. Place a comma after the title if other words follow in the sentence: The jury listened
closely to the expert testimony of Angie Eng, MD, last week.
NEVER use a comma when an indicator of birth order or succession (Jr., Sr., III) follows a name.
Martin Luther King Jr.
When inverting a person's name, use a comma to separate the last name from the first.
Troyka, David
When city and state/city and region are written together, use a comma to separate them.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. / Viña del Mar, Valparaíso.
When a complete address is part of the sentence, use a comma to separate all the items.
I wrote to Shelly
Kupperman, 1001 Rule Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458, for
more information about the comma.
commas in Correspondance
For the opening of an informal letter, use a comma. E.g: Dear Betty, For the opening of a business or formal letter, use a colon. E.g: Dear Ms. Kiviat: For the close of a letter, use a comma. E.g: Best regards,
How do commas clarify meaning
Sometimes a comma is needed to make the meaning of a sentence clear.
George dressed and performed for the sellout crowd.
NO
George dressed, and performed for the sellout crowd.
YES
EVEN BETTER
After George dressed, he performed for the sellout crowd.
hOW TO AVOID COMMA ERRORS
• Reread what you’ve written, never insert a comma simply because you happen to pause to think or take a breath before moving on. • As you’re writing, if you’re unsure about a comma, insert a circled comma. When you’re editing, check for the rule that applies.
The semicolon
what are the uses of a semicolon?
- Independent clause; independent clause.
- Independent clause; conjunctive adverb, independent clause.
- Independent clause; transitional expression, independent clause.
- Independent clause, one that contains a comma; coordinating conjunction followed by independent clause.
- Independent clause; coordinating conjunction followed by independent clause, one that contains a comma.
- Independent clause, one that contains a comma; coordinating conjunction followed by independent clause, one that contains a comma.
- Independent clause containing a series of items, any of which contains a comma; another item in the series; and another item in the series.
Semicolon patterns
Using semicolon between closely related sentences, not joined with a coordinating conjunction
- You signal the relationship between main clauses by joining them with a semicolon, though you do not specify the logical link with a coordinating conjunction.
- The second clause often restates an idea expressed in the first one, and it sometimes expands or presents a contrast to the first.
- The semicolon can highlight the close relationship of ideas or dramatically emphasize a contrast between clauses.
Look at these sentences and the logical relationship expressed by the semicolon.
I told her I would love her forever; I never said I’d love her dog too. (dramatic contrast)When I was a boy, I was told that anybody could become president; I now realise that was a lie. (expansion of information) The demand for paper products is at an all-time high; business and industry alone consume millions of tons o paper each year. (expansion of information) The city council wants more parks, and expanded recreation programs, and a civic center; the mayor wants to cut expenses and limit expenses. (contrast)
Semicolon between independent clauses link with a conjunctive adverb of transitional expression
- Place a semicolon when the second of a set of independent clauses closely related in meaning starts with a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression.
- Insert a comma following a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression that starts an independent clause.
Photographers have spent years recording desert life cycles; as a result, we can watch bare sand flower after a spring storm.
SEMICOLONS WITH COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
When one or more of the independent clauses already contain a comma, link the independent clauses with a semicolon.
For anything worth having, one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice.
Semicolons and items in a series
When a sentence contains a series of items that are long or that already contain one or more commas, separate the items with semicolons.
The assistant chefs chopped onions, green peppers, and parsley; sliced chicken and duck breasts into strips; started a broth simmering; and filled a large, shallow copper pan with oil.
How to avoid misusing a semicolon
Don’t Use a Semicolon after an Introductory Phrase
Open until midnight; the computer lab is well used.
NO
If you use a semicolon after an introductory phrase, you are making a mistake known as sentence fragment.
Open until midnight, the computer lab is well used.
YES
How do I avoid misusing a semicolon
Don’t Use a Semicolon with a Dependent Clause
Although the new dorms have computer facilities; many students still prefer to go to the computer lab.
NO
If you use a semicolon with a dependent clause, you create a fragment.
Although the new dorms have computer facilities, many students still prefer to go to the computer lab.
YES
How do I avoid misusing a semicolon
Don't use a Semicolon to Introduce a List
When the words that introduce a list form an independent clause, use a colon, never a semicolon
The newscast featured three major stories; the latest pictures of Uranus, a speech by the president, and dangerous brush fires in Nevada.
NO
The newscast featured three major stories: the latest pictures of Uranus, a speech by the president, and dangerous brush fires in Nevada.
YES
Questions?
Bibliography:- Troyka, L. Q., & Hesse, D. (2016). Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers Plus Mywritinglab with Pearson Etext -- Access Card Package (11.a ed.). Pearson Education Canada.
THE COMMA AND SEMICOLON
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The comma and semicolon
LCL266 Composición escrita en ingles -2025
The comma
commas before a coordinating conjunction that links two independent clauses
USING COMMAS BEFORE A COORDINATING CONJUNCTION THAT LINKS TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
Never use a comma when a coordinating conjunction links only two words, two phrases, or two dependent clauses.
Use a comma when a coordinating conjunction links two or more independent clauses.
Habitat for Humanity depends on volunteers for labor, and donations to help with its construction projects.
NO
YES
Habitat for Humanity depends on volunteers for labor and donations to help with its construction projects.
Never put a comma after a coordinating conjunction that joins independent clauses.
NO
A house is renovated in two weeks but, a loft takes a week.
A house is renovated in two weeks, but a loft takes a week.
YES
Comma splice & Fused sentence
Never use a comma alone between independent clauses, or you’ll create the error known as a comma splice.
NO
Five inches of snow fell in two hours, driving was hazardous.
YES
Five inches of snow fell in two hours, and driving was hazardous.
If you don’t place a comma before the coordinating conjunction, the mistake is known as Fused sentence.
Shopkeepers closed their stores early for they wanted to get home.
USING COMMAS AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY CLAUSE, PHRASE, OR WORD
A comma follows any introductory word, phrase, or clause that precedes an independent clause.
Although most postcards cost only a quarter, one recently sold for thousands of dollars. Before 1700, sugar refineries appeared in London and New York. For example, animals are timeless favorites. However, most cards show local landmarks.
Place a comma after an introductory interjection, a word that conveys strong, sudden emotion: Oh, are you allergic to cats? Well, you can’t stop sneezing.
Using commas after an introductory clause, phrase, or word Predictably, many dieters say sugar craving id their worst problem. Before 1700, sugar refineries apperared in London and New York. Beginning in infancy, we develop tastes for sweet foods. Sweets being the temtation for many adults, most parents avoid commercial baby food that contain sugar. Although fructose comes from fruit, it’s still sugar. Nevertheless, many people think fructose isn’t harmful. To satisfy a craving for ice cream, even timid people sometimes brave midnight streets. Commas tell the reader that the introductory clause has come to a close and that the main part of the sentence is about to start. .
WHAT IS AN ABSOLUTE PHRASE?
Phrase containing a subject and a participle that modifies an entire sentence: The semester [subject] being [present participle of be] over, the campus looks deserted. Its branches covered in icicles, the tall oak stood in our yard. Chandler proposed Monica on her birthday, her heart filled with joy.
Use a comma before and after a sentence modifier in the middle of a sentence.
If the sentence modifier is placed at the beginning of a sentence, follow it with a comma. When the sentence modifier ends a sentence, put a comma before it.
USING COMMAS TO SEPARATE ITEMS IN A SERIES
A series is a group of three or more elements—words, phrases, or clauses— that match in grammatical form and are of equal importance in a sentence.
Culture is a way of thinking, feeling, believing
In a series, never use a comma before the first item or after the last item, unless a different rule makes it necessary.
Artists, writers, and poets, have engaged in daydreaming
NO
Artists, writers, and poets have engaged in daydreaming
YES
Consider the difference in the following: Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann Lee and Kim. Last month, Alex dated Mary, Ann, Lee, and Kim. Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann, Lee, and Kim.
commas with coordinate and cumulative adjectives
Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives of equal weight that modify a noun. Contrarily, cumulative adjectives build meaning from word to word, as they move toward the noun
How to recognize when adjectives are coordinate and when they aren’t? Test it!
If either one of these tests works, the adjectives are coordinate and require a comma between them.
The concert featured new several bands.
NO
The huge, restless crowd waited for the concert to begin. (Restless, huge still carries the same meaning, these are coordinate adjectives.)
YES
commas with coordinate and cumulative adjectives
Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives of equal weight that modify a noun. Contrarily, cumulative adjectives build meaning from word to word, as they move toward the noun
How to recognize when adjectives are coordinate and when they aren’t? Test it!
If either one of these tests works, the adjectives are coordinate and require a comma between them.
The concert featured several and new bands.
NO
The huge and restless crowd waited (Modifier huge and restless makes sense, these are coordinate adjectives)
YES
commas with coordinate and cumulative adjectives
Don’t put a comma after a final coordinate adjective.
Hundreds of roaring, cheering, yelling, fans filled the stadium.
NO
Hundreds of roaring, cheering, yelling fans filled the stadium.
YES
So remember.... In a pair of coordinate adjectives, each adjective modifies a noun on its own. Therefore, separate them with commas to indicate that they apply to the noun (or pronoun) equally. These drawings describe a quick, simple solution to the drainage problem. It was a senseless, dangerous mission.
Another very effective is...
The adjectives can be used in the comparative/superlative or be modified with ‘very’, ‘quite’ etc.
Fans cheered as the pulsating, rhythmic music filled the stadium. Pulsating and rhythmic are coordinate adjectives. Each band had a distinctive musical style. Distinctive and musical aren’t coordinate adjectives.
USING COMMAS TO SET OF NONRESTRICTIVE ELEMENTS
A restrictive element narrows or restricts the meaning of its antecedent to a particular person or class.E.g: Don’t eat tomatoes that are canned A nonrestrictive element describes but does not restrict the meaning of its antecedent. E.g: Berries, which sweeten your breakfast, are highly nutritious.
Do not use commas
Restrictive element
Nonrestrictive element
Use commas
NO
Someone, named Princess, canceled the concert.
YES
Someone named Princess canceled the concert.
Using commas with non restrictive elements
RESTRICTIVE ELEMENTS Some people in my neighborhood enjoy jogging. [The reader needs the information in my neighborhood to know which people enjoy jogging. The information is essential, so no commas are used.] Some people who are in excellent physical condition enjoy jogging. [The reader needs the information who are in excellent physical condition to know which people enjoy jogging. The information is essential, so no commas are used.] The agricultural scientist Wendy Singh has developed a new fertilization technique. [Wendy Singh is essential to identify exactly which agricultural scientist developed the new technique, so no commas are used.]
NONRESTRICTIVE ELEMENTS An energetic person, Anna Hom enjoys jogging. [Without knowing that Anna Hom is an energetic person, the reader can understand that she enjoys jogging. The information is nonessential, so a comma is used.] Anna Hom, who is in excellent physical condition, enjoys jogging. [Without knowing Anna Hom’s physical condition, the reader can understand that Anna Hom enjoys jogging. The information is nonessential, so commas are used.] Anna Hom enjoys jogging, which is also Adam’s favorite pastime. [Without knowing about Adam’s favorite pastime, the reader can understand that Anna Hom enjoys jogging. The information is nonessential, so commas are used.] The agricultural scientist, a new breed of farmer, explains how to control a farming environment. [Without knowing that the scientist is a new breed of farmer, the reader can understand that the agricultural scientist explains how to control a farming environment. The information is nonessential, so commas are used.]
Which can be either restrictive or nonrestrictive.
That is always restrictive and should not be set off with commas.
Drivers who have been convicted of drunken driving should lose their licenses. Drivers, who have been convicted of drunken driving, should lose their licenses. The bus drivers rejecting the management offer remained on strike The bus drivers, rejecting the management offer, remained on strike
how do commas set off parenthetical expressions, contrasts, words of direct address, and tag sentences?
When you use parenthetical expressions, contrasts, direct addresses, or tag sentences, you insert information that is not essential to the principal message of your sentence. Set off such information with commas. [Parenthetical expressions are “asides.”]
American farmers (according to U.S. government figures) export more wheat than they sell at home.
A major drought, sad to say, wiped out this year's wheat crop.
how do commas set off parenthetical expressions, contrasts, words of direct address, and tag sentences?
USE COMMAS TO SET OFF EXPRESSIONS OF CONTRAST, WHICH STATE WHAT IS NOT THE CASE
Feeding the world's population is a serious, though not impossible, problem.
We must battle world hunger continuously, not only as famine strikes.
how do commas set off parenthetical expressions, contrasts, words of direct address, and tag sentences?
USE COMMAS TO SET OFF WORDS OF DIRECT ADDRESS, WHICH NAME THE PERSON OR GROUP BEING SPOKEN TO (ADDRESSED)
Join me, brother and sisters, to end hunger.
Your contribution to the Relief Fund, Steve, will help us greatly.
how do commas set off parenthetical expressions, contrasts, words of direct address, and tag sentences?
A tag sentence ends with a "tag", an attached phrase or question. Set off a tag with a comma. When a tag is a question, the sentence ends with a question mark.
People will give blood regularly, I hope.
The response to the blood drive was impressive, wasn't it?
The drought has ended, hasn't it?
COMMAS WITH QUOTED WORDS
Use commas to set off expressions (such as he wrote or she proclaimed) that accompany DIRECT DISCOURSE.
"I love no love," proclaimed the poet Mary Coleridge, "but thee."
DO NOT USE commas when the quoted words are blended into the grammatical structure of the sentence (INDIRECT QUOTATION), usually with as and that.
The duke describes the duchess as "too soon made glad".
“O Romeo! Romeo!,” whispered Juliet from her window
If the quoted words end with an exclamation point or question mark, keep the original punctuation.
"O Romeo! Romeo!" whispered Juliet from her window.
COMMAS WITH SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS AND PREPOSITIONS
Never put a comma after a SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION or a PREPOSITION, unless another rule makes it necessary.
Although, the storm brought high winds, it did no damage.
Although the storm brought high winds, it did no damage.
People expected worse between, the high winds and the heavy downpour.
People expected worse between the high winds and the heavy downpour.
Commas with dates
- Use a comma between the date and the year
E.g: July 20, 1969.- Between the day and the date
E.g: Sunday, July 20.- Within a sentence, use a comma on both sides of the year in a full date
E.g: Americans sat near a TV set on July 20, 1969, to watch the lunar landing.NEVER use a comma when only the month and year, or the month and day, are given. Moreover, never use a comma between the season and year.
YES
People knew that one day in July 1969 would change the world.
News coverage was especially heavy on July 21.
YES
In summer 1969 a man walked on the moon.
YES
commas and numbers
Do's
Don'ts
- Counting from right to left, put a comma after every three digits in numbers with more than four digits.
E.g: 156,567,066- A comma is optional in most four-digit numbers (Be consistent with your writing!)
E.g: 1776 potatoes or 1,776 potatoes- Use a comma to separate related measurements written as words.
E.g: Five feet, four inches- Use a comma to separate a scene from an act in a play.
E.g: Act II, scene IV (or act 2, scene 4)- Use a comma to separate references to a page and a line.
E.g: Page 10, line 6- Never use a comma in a four-digit year.
E.g: 1990- Never use a comma in an address of four digits or more.
E.g: 12161 Dean Drive- Never use a comma in a page number of four digits or more.
E.g: See page 1338Commas in NAmes and Places
When an abbreviated academic degree (MD, PhD) comes after a person’s name, use a comma between the name and the title: Angie Eng, MD. Place a comma after the title if other words follow in the sentence: The jury listened closely to the expert testimony of Angie Eng, MD, last week.
NEVER use a comma when an indicator of birth order or succession (Jr., Sr., III) follows a name.
Martin Luther King Jr.
When inverting a person's name, use a comma to separate the last name from the first.
Troyka, David
When city and state/city and region are written together, use a comma to separate them.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. / Viña del Mar, Valparaíso.
When a complete address is part of the sentence, use a comma to separate all the items.
I wrote to Shelly Kupperman, 1001 Rule Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458, for more information about the comma.
commas in Correspondance
For the opening of an informal letter, use a comma. E.g: Dear Betty, For the opening of a business or formal letter, use a colon. E.g: Dear Ms. Kiviat: For the close of a letter, use a comma. E.g: Best regards,
How do commas clarify meaning
Sometimes a comma is needed to make the meaning of a sentence clear.
George dressed and performed for the sellout crowd.
NO
George dressed, and performed for the sellout crowd.
YES
EVEN BETTER
After George dressed, he performed for the sellout crowd.
hOW TO AVOID COMMA ERRORS
• Reread what you’ve written, never insert a comma simply because you happen to pause to think or take a breath before moving on. • As you’re writing, if you’re unsure about a comma, insert a circled comma. When you’re editing, check for the rule that applies.
The semicolon
what are the uses of a semicolon?
Semicolon patterns
Using semicolon between closely related sentences, not joined with a coordinating conjunction
Look at these sentences and the logical relationship expressed by the semicolon.
I told her I would love her forever; I never said I’d love her dog too. (dramatic contrast)When I was a boy, I was told that anybody could become president; I now realise that was a lie. (expansion of information) The demand for paper products is at an all-time high; business and industry alone consume millions of tons o paper each year. (expansion of information) The city council wants more parks, and expanded recreation programs, and a civic center; the mayor wants to cut expenses and limit expenses. (contrast)
Semicolon between independent clauses link with a conjunctive adverb of transitional expression
Photographers have spent years recording desert life cycles; as a result, we can watch bare sand flower after a spring storm.
SEMICOLONS WITH COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
When one or more of the independent clauses already contain a comma, link the independent clauses with a semicolon.
For anything worth having, one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice.
Semicolons and items in a series
When a sentence contains a series of items that are long or that already contain one or more commas, separate the items with semicolons.
The assistant chefs chopped onions, green peppers, and parsley; sliced chicken and duck breasts into strips; started a broth simmering; and filled a large, shallow copper pan with oil.
How to avoid misusing a semicolon
Don’t Use a Semicolon after an Introductory Phrase
Open until midnight; the computer lab is well used.
NO
If you use a semicolon after an introductory phrase, you are making a mistake known as sentence fragment.
Open until midnight, the computer lab is well used.
YES
How do I avoid misusing a semicolon
Don’t Use a Semicolon with a Dependent Clause
Although the new dorms have computer facilities; many students still prefer to go to the computer lab.
NO
If you use a semicolon with a dependent clause, you create a fragment.
Although the new dorms have computer facilities, many students still prefer to go to the computer lab.
YES
How do I avoid misusing a semicolon
Don't use a Semicolon to Introduce a List
When the words that introduce a list form an independent clause, use a colon, never a semicolon
The newscast featured three major stories; the latest pictures of Uranus, a speech by the president, and dangerous brush fires in Nevada.
NO
The newscast featured three major stories: the latest pictures of Uranus, a speech by the president, and dangerous brush fires in Nevada.
YES
Questions?
Bibliography:- Troyka, L. Q., & Hesse, D. (2016). Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers Plus Mywritinglab with Pearson Etext -- Access Card Package (11.a ed.). Pearson Education Canada.