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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
Commas are different from periods. Period (.) i
ndicates a full stop mea
ni
ng it is the e
nd of the se
nte
nce while the (,) shows separatio
n of objects mea
ni
ng that right after the comma, word/s will follow.
What are the three main things commas do?
Uses of Commas
1. to separate three or more things in the series
Example: oranges, apples, grapes, and guavas
2. to connect two independent clauses (use comma + conjunction)
Example: He went to look for the dog, but it wasn't there.
3. to set off introductory element
Example: Leaving the house, Allan left his wallet.
Do you use a comma or semi colon between a dependent clause and an independent clause?
A comma is typically used between a dependent clause and an independent clause in most cases. A semicolon can be used if the two clauses are closely related and the writer wishes to create a stronger connection between them.
Yes, a comma should precede "i.e." when it is used in a sentence to introduce an explanation or clarification.
Is a comma need after such as?
In general, a comma is not needed after "such as":
Please bring snacks you can easily carry, such as raisins, apples, or cereal bars.
Do you use a comma before and after a city and state in a sentence?
No. You place the comma between the city and state: for example, I went to school in Boston, Massachusetts. My husband was raised in Norfolk, Virginia.
Does a comma always come before 'to include'?
No, of course not. The positioning of any punctuation marks depends on the sense of the entire sentence or phrase, not the presence or absence of particular words.
'I have decided to include your drawings in the display.'
'The agenda that he is preparing is going to include the question of conference fees.'
'She said she would perform a selection of songs, to include some by Schubert and maybe a few by Brahms.'
'I'm looking for a recipe to include chickpeas, as I have some left over.'
How do you use conventional in a sentence with two commas?
Here is one example:
'Rather than give his wife flowers or chocolates for their anniversary, which would have been the conventional thing to do, Peter chose to buy her a circular saw.'
Is however always offset by commas?
No, "however" is set off by commas only in certain situations. The following sentences are all correct:
- We did everything we could; however, her injuries were too severe, and she died.
- These days, however, most mincemeat does not contain any meat, although it may still contain beef suet.
- However you'd like to proceed is fine with me.
Although there is still debate about its correctness, many do not have a problem using "however" (in the sense of "nevertheless") to begin a sentence, as in the following example:
I followed all the instructions carefully for "easy installation and setup". However, as the night wore on, I still continued to get nothing but errors.
When do you put a comma after using inc?
A comma should be placed after "including" when it is used as an introductory phrase in a sentence. For example, "I enjoy outdoor activities, including hiking and biking."
Assuming you're asking is you should put a comma before "or" in a series of three or more items (e.g., "Would you like the chicken, fish(,) or beef?") - it's called a serial comma, and it's generally considered optional nowadays, unless it makes the sentence ambiguous or the items in the list are several words each (e.g. "Would you like ham and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, or tomato and cheese on your sandwich?").
In general, no, but there are some situations in which using a comma after "but" is correct. If the word "but" is followed by an expression that needs to be set off by commas, then you would put a comma after "but" and another comma after the expression. Here is an example:
I was going to say no, but, because you have presented such a persuasive argument, I have decided to allow it.
An example of a more typical sentence using "but", where there is a comma before but not after "but", is the first sentence in this answer.
Does a comma go after the state when an address is in the middle of a sentence?
Yes, because it is in the middle of the sentence, and not at the end.
Do you use a comma before respectively?
Yes, you can use a comma before "respectively" to help clarify that the items being mentioned correspond to each other in the same order. This can make the comparison or list easier to understand for the reader and maintain clarity in your writing.
Would a comma go after the word 'once'?
Yes, typically a comma is placed after the word 'once' when it is used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a dependent clause. For example: "Once, I finish my homework, I will go out to play."
How would you use the word cognate in a sentence?
The English word "mother" and the Spanish word "madre" are cognates because they share a common Latin root.
What are single commas around extracts called?
Single commas around extracts are called "quotation marks" or "inverted commas". They are used to indicate that the text inside them is a direct quotation or a piece of text being highlighted.
Why do writer put inverted commas round one word?
The inverted commas, called quotation marks in American English, may be put around a word or phrase as a private joke between the writer and the reader. For example, we might write Jimmy put his "book" on the table, meaning that what he put on the table wasn't really a book, but he ( or we) called it a book.
What is four common methods for correcting a run on sentence?
1. By ending the first sentence with a period and starting a new sentence with the new thought.
2. By placing a semicolon between the two sentences.
3. By placing a comma and conjunction after the first sentence.
4. By making one of the sentences dependent on the other.
Can a sentence have two commas?
Yes, many sentences have two commas. Here are a couple of examples, which illustrate two different types of sentence construction where two commas are used:
'My aunt, who is a dentist, lives in Scotland.'
'We walked up the hill, found a grassy spot, and sat down to rest.'
Were should colons and semi-colons go?
A colon is used to follow a complete sentence with either
- a list (eg. "You need the following ingredients: eggs, water, butter..."), or
- a descriptive or relevant fragment (eg. "There was one thing hindering his dreams of stardom: his voice.").
Two key aspects of the use of the colon are that the words preceding the colon should comprise a complete sentence and that the words following the colon should not.
A semicolon is normally used to join the following:
- Two complete sentences (thus it can substitute for a comma-conjunction combination). This is one reason what follows a colon should be a fragment; otherwise, the semicolon should be used instead.
- Items in a list where one or more of the items (usually a title) itself contains a comma (the normal list separator). This is to avoid confusion.
Where does the comma go for the word but?
If you are using the word but to tie two sentences together, then you put a comma before the word but just as you would before the word and. If you use but within a sentence it does not use punctuation unless it would require it for and in the same situation. Her dress came below her ankles but did not touch the floor. That does not connect two separate sentences. Her dress came below her ankles and touched the floor. That also does not connect two separate sentences. You use the comma when you connect two sentences. He was a good student, and he ran fast. He was a good student, but he could not kick a ball.
Do you use a comma after also?
Yes, in most cases, a comma is used after the word "also" when it is used to introduce a new element in a sentence. However, if "also" is used to modify a verb without separating two independent clauses, a comma is not needed.
When someone says something put inverted commas?
Sure, when someone says something, you can enclose their words in inverted commas to indicate direct speech or a quotation. This helps to show that the words being written are being directly attributed to the speaker.
