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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
Do you use a comma after although?
Yes, typically you would use a comma after "although" when it is used at the beginning of a dependent clause to introduce contrast or concession. For example: "Although it was raining, we still went for a walk."
Do most short introductory phrases use commas?
Yes, it is common to use commas following short introductory phrases to help separate the phrase from the main part of the sentence. This helps improve clarity and readability in writing.
How do you punctuate using the word thereby?
The word "thereby" is usually set off by commas when it is used in the middle of a sentence. For example, "He studied hard, thereby improving his grades." If "thereby" is used at the beginning of a sentence, it is typically followed by a comma. For example, "Thereby, he improved his grades significantly."
Can you use a comma with yet at the beginning of a sentence?
That is the normal correct grammatical way of writing the sentence.
AnswerSorry, the comma is not correct, at least not in all style books. "Yet" is generally classified as a coordinating conjunction, like "and," "or," or "but." (See the related link) Coordinating conjunctions at the beginning of a sentence are not followed by a comma. (But see the end of the comment for recent evolutions.)Look at it this way -- to draw on the examples from the Wikipedia entry above:
We write: They gamble, and they smoke.
We don't write: *They gamble, and, they smoke.
Nothing changes if we split the two halves with a period for stylistic effect:
They gamble. And they smoke.
Not: *They gamble. And, they smoke.
(Unless perhaps we're looking for a very particular stylistic effect in direct speech, to suggest that the speaker paused after the "and." Even in that case, this may not be the best solution.)
Likewise, we write: They gamble, yet they don't smoke.
And similarly: They gamble. Yet they don't smoke.
Here's the catch. There is some tendency now to reclassify "yet" as a conjunctive adverb, in the same category as "therefore" or "however." If you accept that reclassification, then it's all right to put a comma after "yet" in these situations. But many will strongly disagree.
What punctuation goes after the word enclosure at the end of a business letter?
There is no punctuation after the word enclosure at the end of a letter. You simply not how many enclosures are included.
Two sentence written as one sentence is usually separated by a comma?
If you combine two independent clauses (two sentences) into one sentence, you need to use a comma and a conjunction.
Right: I am hungry, and I am tired.
Right: I am hungry, but I am not going to eat.
Wrong: I am hungry and I am cold.
Wrong: I am hungry, I am cold.
You could also use a semicolon if the two thoughts are closely related. If you use a semicolon, do not use a conjunction.
Right: I am hungry; I am going to eat.
Wrong: I am hungry; and I am going to eat.
How do you punctuate a sentence containing the phrase 'as well as'?
the demolition scope included the protection of all surrounding items such as mature trees and plantings as well as concrete walls and walkways.
Should a comma come before or after the word so when it comes in the middle of a sentence?
A comma typically comes before the word "so" when it is used as a conjunction to connect two independent clauses. For example: "I was feeling tired, so I decided to take a nap."
Why use commas in mid sentence?
To show the reader where to pause. For example: "To provide additional information with a web link, click here instead." Try reading that without the comma; it doesn't work so well.
Does according to needs a comma if it comes at the end of a sentence?
No, a comma is not needed before "according to" at the end of a sentence. This phrase is typically used to introduce information or a source, and it does not require a comma when placed at the end of a sentence.
Do you put a comma after recently in a sentence?
It depends on the sentence structure. If "recently" is modifying the rest of the sentence, then use a comma. If it is modifying a specific verb, do not use a comma.
Example 1:
Recently, I discovered that I'm not as wild about blueberries as I used to be.
Example 2:
I recently discovered that I'm not as wild about blueberries as I used to be.
Do you put a comma in front of the word however?
You write:
However good an apple tastes, it is not pink; but you write as a parenthetical adverb:
Apples taste good, however, they are not pink; if not the two main clauses tally (agree), and the word 'however' can be replaced by "but", there are commas.
However, if a main clause is followed by a "runner-up" clause, or a consolidating clause, there are no comma, as in:
Apples taste good however small they are.
Do you use a comma after the word however in the body of a sentence?
Commas are cool, however, they can be complicated as well. (indicates a pause)
Yes like ''Hi,John" cause you pause a little when you say hi.
Do you put a full stop after Dr.?
No, it is not necessary to put a full stop after "Dr." unless it is followed by a sentence.
Can you write a sentence in which you use a semicolon correctly?
A semicolon is often used to connect complete thoughts that could be separate sentences. (It takes the place of a conjunction and should seldom be used with one.)
Example : "The boy left home with three apples; he had eaten one already."'
A semicolon also separates complex collections using a conjunction.
Example : "We stopped in Chicago, Illinois; Omaha, Nebraska; and New Orleans, Louisiana."
(see the related link)
Colons can be used for a number of purposes in writing. It can be used to set up a phrase that clarifies the meaning of the phrase that comes before it; in this case, both sides of the colon may be independent clauses. It can also be used to introduce a list or series of items or short phrases. Finally, colons are also commonly used in place of a comma during salutations.
Can you close a quotation with a comma?
No, a quotation should be closed with a punctuation mark such as a period, question mark, or exclamation point, depending on the context of the sentence. A comma should not be used to close a quotation.
Do you use a comma before III?
You do not use a comma before III, or before any Roman Numeral, if it is part of a name such as King George III.
Should a comma be used before the word and?
A comma before "and" depends on the context. Use a comma before "and" in a list of items (e.g., red, blue, and green). However, do not use a comma before "and" when it connects two independent clauses unless it is needed for clarity or to avoid confusion.
When should you not use a comma?
This is a short list of when a comma is not necessary and you should not include a comma in these writing situations:
- Willy-nilly without following any grammatical or sentence structure rules.
- When you have not taken the time to learn the rules for using commas.
- Whenever you want or think you've not used enough commas
- When you haven't noticed how textbooks and writers use commas as examples of when to use them.
- Inserting, a comma, after, every few, words.
- When joining two nouns with 'and' for a compound subject: John, and Mary, ran track.
- When joining 2 simple sentences or clauses with 'and': We talked, and told jokes.
- When combining 2 items but you do not have a list of items.
- When you do not need to naturally take a breath in a sentence.
- When erroneously trying to make a run-on sentence seem like it should be an acceptable sentence.
Times you might need a comma include:
- When using a list of three or more items: apples, oranges, and grapes
- When joining several persons as a subject: Mary, John, Sally, and Mike formed one team.
- When properly joining two full complete but different thoughts: We went ice skating, and then we went to eat.
- After a clause that does not make a complete thought: When he studied, he did well on tests.
- When quoting a title or text that someone else wrote and they used commas, even if they used them inappropriately.
- In dialogue to separate the dialogue from the speaker: "Hello, I'm Amy," she said, flashing a broad smile.
- To separate additional information such as in the above sentence: ...she said, flashing a broad smile.
- After a salutation in a letter, or closing to a letter: Dear Mom, (your letter)... (signed) Your son, ...
- (There may be other instances that I've not listed here.)
Learning when to use commas requires learning the rules for commas, paying attention to when other writers use commas, and listening to places when you need to breathe when reading a sentence out loud.
Where do you put a comma when using the word however in the middle of a sentence?
When using the word "however" in the middle of a sentence, you use commas before and after the word if combining a independent and dependent clauses. You may also use it for two independent clauses or use a ";" before the word however followed by a comma.
Commas are used to separate items in a list, set off introductory phrases or clauses, separate independent clauses in a compound sentence, set off non-essential information, and separate items in dates and addresses.
