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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
How can a compound sentence become a comma splice?
A compound sentence becomes a comma splice when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined together with just a comma, without a coordinating conjunction or proper punctuation. This creates a run-on sentence where the two ideas are not properly connected.
Why do you need a comma before the word but?
You need a comma when but coordinates two clauses (in a compound sentence), as in "She left for school, but her brother stayed home sick."
You could say that the "reason" for the comma is because there are two separate people (she and her brother--the subjects) doing two separate things (leaving for school and staying home--the predicates).
The comma is optional (I believe) when the word butcoordinates two verb phrases (in a compound predicate), as in "She left for school but forgot her homework on the table."You should use a comma, however, when there is a stark contrast, as in "She wanted to go to school, but was too sick to get out of bed."
What words can go before or after sense?
Before: Common, good, sixth sense
After: Of humor, of direction, of danger
Should a comma be put between a first name and Jr?
Yes, a comma should be placed between a first name and "Jr." when it follows the name as it indicates a generational suffix. For example, "John Smith, Jr."
Can you use a comma before the word but?
Yes, you can use a comma before the word "but" when it connects two independent clauses. For example: "I wanted to go to the store, but it started raining."
i accidently put many *commas* in my homework for school yesterday night .
Yes, there should be a comma after "told" in a sentence such as "He told me, that he would be late." This comma is used to separate the introductory clause from the main clause and improve clarity in the sentence.
Do you put a comma after the state when you are writing a sentence?
Yes, a comma is typically used after the state in a sentence to separate it from the rest of the sentence. For example, "She lives in Seattle, Washington."
Do you use a comma before the word thereby?
It depends on the rest of the sentence...
The longer, the more complicated the sentence the greater the number of the same kinds of words I had following one after another, the more the very more I had of them the more I felt the passionate need of their taking care of themselves by themselves and not helping them, and thereby enfeebling them by putting in a comma.
Some define run-on sentences to include comma splices, but others limit the term to strictly mean those in which independent clauses are joined without any punctuation, therebyexcluding comma splices.
Basically... use commas around nonrestirictive elements... like phrases that if you removed completely the sentence could still convey the basic meaning.
When ice is left to melt an adult beverage, the ratio of water to booze is raised, thereby weaken the taste of the booze. :) Normally if your using there by the rule of nonrestirictive elements will apply, make sure its the best work to use
Can you use a colon in sentences that introduce a quotation?
Yes, a colon can be used to introduce a quotation in a sentence to signal to the reader that the quote is about to follow. For example: The professor said: "The study results are promising."
Can you put a comma at the end of a sentence in a dialog?
In informal writing, such as a text message or casual email, it is acceptable to use a comma at the end of a sentence in a dialog to indicate a pause or trailing off. However, in formal writing, like academic papers or professional correspondence, it is not standard practice to end a sentence in a dialog with a comma.
Can you place a comma after the word unfortunately at the beginning of a sentence?
Yes.
Example:
Unfortunately, I forgot to get milk while I was grocery shopping.
Where to put md when you put last name first?
When putting the last name first, you can place "MD" after the first name. For example: "John Doe, MD" would be written as "Doe, John MD."
Do you use commas before the word reagarding?
Not necessarily. There is no word or phrase in English that requires a comma.
What is a run-on or fused sentence or comma splice?
These are all sentences made up of independent clauses that are not joined by a coordinating conjunction or correct punctuation.
A comma splice is a sentence with two independent clauses joined only by a comma: Answer every question to the best of your ability, however, do not spend too much time on any one question.
This can be corrected in two ways;
1. Separate it into two sentences: Answer every question to the best of your ability. However, do not spend too much time on any one question.
2. Use a semicolon instead of the comma: Answer every question to the best of your ability; however, do not spend too much time on any one question.
A run-on or fused sentence is made up of independent clauses with no coordinating conjunction and no punctuation between them: Extremely hot weather can be dangerous drink plenty of water. One way to correct this is to insert a coordinating conjunction: Extremely hot weather can be dangerous, so dring plenty of water.
When to use a colon when writing?
When writing times such as, "It is now 8:00." or writing a specific type of list such as, "These are my new books:Gulliver's Travels, The Secret Garden, and Treasure Island." Notice that I bolded the colons. You don't have to when you're writing, but I did so you would notice them. Sorry if this is no help!
What is a example for a semicolon?
One example of using a semicolon is to connect two related independent clauses in a sentence, such as: "She finished her work; then she went home." The semicolon acts as a stronger break than a comma but not as final as a period.
Do you need a comma before the word where?
The word "where" requires a comma only where it introduces a non-restrictive independent clause. That is, where it presents additional information rather than identifying a specific thing or instance.
Examples:
"He went back to the house where he had left his keys."
(restrictive clause, identifies a specific house)
"He went back to the house, where he had left his keys."
(non-restrictive clause, the house is not modified)
"He visited the castle where the Blarney stone is displayed."
"He visited Blarney Castle, where the Blarney Stone is displayed."
"They crossed the border where it was unguarded."
"They crossed the border in the mountains, where it was unguarded."
A reversed comma is a punctuation mark in the shape of a backwards apostrophe (`), sometimes used in typography for various purposes like indicating speech in some languages or as a mathematical symbol.
What are the four main functions of a semicolon?
The four main functions of a semicolon are to connect closely related independent clauses in a sentence, to separate items in a list where the items contain commas, to connect independent clauses when a coordinating conjunction is omitted, and to separate elements in a complex series containing internal punctuation.
Do you use a comma before and after therefore?
I do not use a comma before and after that word, therefore you will not see it in any sentence I have written.
I didn't know that that was going to happen. Do you put a comma between that and that?
Yes, in this case, you would use a comma between "that" and "that." This helps to separate the repeated word and improve clarity in the sentence.
Do you use a comma after this being said?
Yes, typically a comma is used after "that being said" to indicate a transition between two related but distinct thoughts or ideas in a sentence or conversation.
