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Commas Colons and Semicolons

Commas, colons and semicolons are commonly used punctuation marks. Commas are commonly used in listing items or after a phrase while colons are used to introduce or announce. Semicolons are used to create breaks or pauses.

1,988 Questions

I wonder Seema if you've thought through the implications of your actions. where do the commas go?

The commas should be placed before and after "Seema" for direct address. The sentence would read: "I wonder, Seema, if you've thought through the implications of your actions."

What are three examples of observational techniques used in counselling?

  1. Nonverbal observation - This involves paying attention to the client's body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice to gain insights into their emotional state.
  2. Active listening - This technique involves fully engaging with the client's spoken words, showing understanding, and reflecting back their thoughts and feelings.
  3. Paraphrasing - Summarizing and reflecting back the client's words in a concise manner to ensure understanding and to facilitate further exploration of their emotions.

Do you put a comma before perhaps?

Yes, you can use a comma before "perhaps" when it is used as an introductory word in a sentence. Placing a comma helps to separate it from the main clause and improve clarity in the sentence structure.

What is the main usage of semi-colon in sentences?

The main usage of a semi-colon in sentences is to connect two closely related independent clauses. It can also be used to separate items in a list when the items contain commas.

When use a semicolin?

A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses in a sentence that are closely related in meaning. It can also be used to separate items in a list when the items contain commas.

Would you put a comma or a period after a statement that is quoted?

It depends on whether the statement is a complete sentence or not. If the quoted statement is a complete sentence, you would use a period. If the quoted statement is within a larger sentence, you would use a comma.

Where does the comma go when you use the because?

Remember, it is the sentence structure that determines punctuation, not the word. There is no word or phrase in English that requires a comma.

The comma goes before the word "because" in the event that what follows "because" is a parenthetical phrase. Here is an example:

--I guessed that I would use WikiAnswers to answer this question, because many of my questions have been answered on the site before.

Here, the ending phrase refers to why "I guessed" rather than why "I would use WikiAnswers." For instance, you would use WikiAnswers because the answers are of high quality, not just because the answers are there. The previous sentence is also a good example.

Commas are placed before coordinating conjunctions. Because is not a coordinating conjunction.

Commas are also placed between dependent and independent clauses when the dependent clause precedes the independent clause. When a dependent clause precedes an independent clause, a comma is placed between the two.

Commas also separate items in lists such as red, yellow, blue and green.

Commas also follow introductory clauses. In the morning, I will go to the store.

In the following two examples, the comma is not at all necessary, and it forces an unnatural pause.

-- I use WikiAnswers a lot, because many of my questions get answered on the site.

-- The bus was late, because there was an accident on the highway that caused a traffic jam.

The comma is necessary after the clause or phrase introduced by 'because' if the word begins a sentence. For example:

Because many of my questions get answered on the site, I use WikiAnswers a lot.

Because of your help, I made it.

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Why are commas rather than dashes or parentheses used in this sentence?

Parentheses are used in a sentence to capture a note relating to the wording of the sentence. Dashes and commas set apart words in a sentence.

Where is the comma in the phrase This too shall pass?

The correct placement for the comma in that phrase is: "This, too, shall pass." The commas are used to set off the word "too" for emphasis and to indicate a slight pause in speech.

Do you always put a comma after oh?

No, a comma is not always necessary after "oh." It depends on the context of the sentence and whether the pause created by the "oh" requires a comma for clarity.

When did Napoleon quoted that ability is nothing without opportunity?

Napoleon quoted "Ability is nothing without opportunity" in 1796, in a letter to his brother Joseph. This quote emphasizes the importance of combining talent with the right circumstances for success.

Do you put a comma after frankly?

Yes, a comma is typically used after introductory words like "frankly" to separate them from the rest of the sentence. For example, "Frankly, I am not sure."

What is the purpose of the comma sign?

The purpose of a comma is to separate a sentence that has more than one clause that cannot be linked coherently, or to add extra information about a subject. An example is: Cats are furry, they can jump high.

What is sentence splice?

A sentence splice (alternately, comma splice) is when 2 independent clauses are joined by a comma. This is not grammatically correct. To fix a sentence splice, you can either change the comma to a semicolon, or you can add a coordinating conjunction after the comma (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

What word can go before 'bag' 'drunk' and 'line?

The word that can go before 'bag,' 'drunk,' and 'line' is 'paper.'

Does a comma come after a connective?

When connecting two independent clauses with a connective like "and" or "but," a comma is often used before the connective to separate the two clauses. If the clauses are closely related and short, a comma might not be necessary. It ultimately depends on the style guide you are following or your personal preference.

How do you see if a sentence has a comma splice?

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. To identify a comma splice, look for sentences where two standalone thoughts are separated only by a comma. This error disrupts the flow of the sentence and is best corrected by either adding a coordinating conjunction or using a stronger punctuation mark like a semicolon or period.

Where does the comma go after or before which?

The short answer: you don't need one.

The long answer:

Which is a subordinating conjunction, meaning that when it starts a clause, it makes a dependent clause which is an incomplete sentence.

Grammar dictates the following comma placement in the pairing of clauses:

(Independent Clause = IC, Dependent Clause = DC) IC DC or DC, IC

Since which will start a dependent clause, provided that you put the independent clause first, you need not place a comma on behalf of the word which. If, however, the dependent clause goes first, you must place a comma after the entire clause, not just the word which.

Should comma be used after regards?

Yes, a comma should be used after "Regards" when writing a formal email or letter. For example, "Regards, John Smith."

Is this a fragment comma splice or a run on sentence Jay went sightseeing on his own and caught up with the group later?

Actually, it's none of the above. It's a perfectly normal compound sentence if you add correct punctuation: Jay went sightseeing on his own, and (he) caught up with the group later. Yes, you need a comma to separate the two clauses, but I don't see a comma splice or a fragment. The pronoun "he" is understood in the second part of the sentence. Usually, comma splices involve linking two independent sentences together with a comma, which is wrong-- you need to use a period.

Here's a fragment: waiting for the train. Here's a comma splice: Jay was waiting for the train, it came early and he missed it. (You have two complete sentences there, and you can't splice them together with a comma.) And here's a run-on sentence: Jay was waiting for the bus but it came early and he missed it and he was late for school and he got in a lot of trouble because he had been late before and his teacher was really upset with him.

Should a comma come before or after or?

Not necessarily. Where a comma goes is entirely a matter of sentence structure. There is no word or phrase in English that requires a comma.

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In separating clauses and phrases, the comma (when necessary) comes before the or, as a pause.

Was this the biggest mistake in all of human history, or the greatest success?

Otherwise, the or seems to join history and success.

The only time the comma comes after the or is when there is what may be called a parenthetical expression, or interruption, as for a clarification.

Will they quit or, fearing humiliation, continue to fight?

The conjunction or is connecting quit to continue.

Can you put a comma after a question mark?

No, punctuation rules dictate that a comma is not used after a question mark. Each punctuation mark serves a specific purpose and should be used independently in a sentence.

Where do you need a comma The children squealed playing happily on the slide.?

A comma is needed before "playing" to separate the two independent clauses in the sentence: "The children squealed" and "playing happily on the slide." This helps to clarify the meaning and improve readability.

Should you put a comma in the phrase as of today?

Yes, you should put a comma after "today" in the phrase "as of today" to indicate that the phrase is specifying the present moment.