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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
What is a plural possesive noun?
A plural possessive noun is a noun that refers to more than one person, place, or thing and shows ownership or relationship with another noun. It is formed by adding an apostrophe and the letter "s" after the plural noun (e.g., "teachers' lounge").
Yes, you should use a comma before "Jr." when writing a person's name to separate the person's last name from the suffix. For example, "John Smith, Jr."
What is the function of a comma?
There are several functions for commas.
Series - "apples, oranges, and bananas"
Coordinate adjectives - "brilliant, bright diamond"
Compound sentences (used with coordinating conjunctions) - "I told him that, and I dismissed him."
Introductory phrases - "During the 1800s, a bunch of stuff happened."
Appositive phrases - "This user, TheGrammarian, is totally awesome."
Can you use a semicolon with the word including?
Yes, you can use a semicolon before the word "including" when it separates items in a list within a sentence. For example, "There are many countries known for their delicious cuisine; including Italy, France, and Japan."
3 times you should use a semicolon?
- To separate closely related independent clauses that are not joined by a conjunction.
- To separate items in a list when the items themselves contain commas.
- To clarify a complex series of items or phrases where commas are already being used.
Can use two commas on one sentence?
Yes, you can use two commas in one sentence. Commas are used to separate elements in a sentence, such as lists, clauses, or phrases. Just be sure that the commas are placed correctly to avoid confusion in the sentence's meaning.
Yes, a comma is not needed after "wood" in this sentence. It is already clear that "wood" is the subject being discussed, and inserting a comma may disrupt the flow of the sentence.
Do you use a comma before Sr in a name?
Yes, a comma is typically used before "Sr." in a name. For example, "John Doe, Sr." would be the correct way to write it.
A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses that are closely related. It can also be used to separate items in a list when the items contain commas.
you can put a comma after each thing in a list:
ears, eyes, nose, mouth
you can put a comma right before starting a quote:
she said, "her eyes and very brown."
im sure there are a lot more than those basic ones though
In which sentences could you best use a semicolon?
penn foster ?
1. C
2. C
3. B
4. D
5. A
6. D
7. C
8. A
9. B
10. B
11. C
12. B
13. B
14. D
15. D
16. C
17. B
18. D
19. A
20. A
21. B
22. D
23. A
24. C
25. A
Do you use a comma before the word however at the end of a sentence?
A) No.
B) I would try to avoid using the word however at the end of a sentence, as it is usually used to introduce a clause which contradicts something which has already been said, or is a relative adverb - and ought to precede that to which it relates.
Is there a comma before II or III in a name?
Generally, no. Please see: http://execsec.od.nih.gov/help/basics/punctuation.html
Is the word following a semi-colon capitalized?
No. A word which is not a proper noun is only capitalised at the start of a sentence - after a full stop (period).
What do you call a sentence without commas?
Are you referring to "run-on sentences"? A run-on sentence is one where it is a compound sentence (two subjects and two predicates, which could function as two separate sentences) yet a separation is not made between them. Example: Original: I went to the store. I bought food there. Run-on: I went to the store and I bought food there. Correct: I went to the store, and I bought food there. You could also remove the subject from the second part and that would remove the need of a comma. Example: I went to the store and bought food there. In this case, the sentence is correct because the same subject is applied to both predicates. To say "I went to the store. Bought food there," would result in an incomplete sentence, one which when added to the first can not result in a run-on. (Note: In this case, you may not say "I went to the store, and bought food there," because then you are creating a separation between the two parts of the sentence resulting in the lack of an identified subject for the latter part.)
Sometimes a comma is needed before a name in a sentence. An example of when to use a comma before a name is, my boyfriend, Carl, went to Yale.
How can commas change meanings of sentences if placed in different places?
It changes where the pauses are in the sentence, and in some cases changes the meanings completely. For example:
Slow, children crossing (at a crosswalk)
Slow children crossing
or
Let's eat, Grandma!
Let's eat Grandma!!!!
No you put a common when you are using by as a conjunction. You usually use a comma before for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so.
In a sentence is there a comma after since?
No, there is not a requirement for a comma to come after the word since in a sentence.
More importantly, make sure you are being accurate when using the word since. Many people mistakenly substitute since for because, most likely due to being told to never begin a sentence with the word because.
Since indicates a passage of time:
"It has been three years since I have seen you."
Because indicates a reason:
"It has been three years since I have seen you because I moved to a different state."
Note, too, that you can rearrange that sentence so that it begins with the word because:
"Because I moved to a different state, it has been three years since I have seen you."
Many times when we're just learning the rules of grammer, our teachers tell us not to start a sentence with it because it always begins a dependent clause. As long as you complete the thought, you're OK.
When do you use comma after the word please in a sentence?
A comma is typically not needed after the word "please" in a sentence unless it is part of a direct address. For example: "Please, pass the salt." In most cases, such as "Can you please help me," a comma is not required after "please."
Is a comma necessary to open a sentence with congratulations or welcome?
Many people would capitalize the word 'congratulations' or 'welcome' and follow it immediately with an exclamation point, and then begin a new sentence, capitalizing (of course) the first word of the new sentence. On the other hand, one might write, 'Congratulations on (for example) your amazing achievement.' Likewise, it might be appropriate to write, 'Welcome to (for example) the North Podunkville Community Association.' The formal rules of punctuation and grammar are usually relaxed in such circumstances. Otherwise, just follow the normal rules of punctuation and employ a comma whenever and wherever it is appropriate or necessary to do so.
Is there a semicolon before i.e. in a sentence?
Almost always, there is a comma following the word immediately preceding 'i.e.' and a comma following 'i.e.' as well. Note also that 'i.e.' is italicised. The term 'i.e.' is an abbreviation of the Latin 'id est,' which means 'that is.' (And please remember that i.e., and e.g. have different meanings.)
Do you use a comma before the word whose?
It depends.
a) If the phrase following the whose cannot stand without it, then do not use comma.
Ex, Joe Santos, who is my uncle, knows everyone in town.
b) If the phrase following the whose can stand alone without it, then use comma.
Ex, Students who do failing work will not pass.
Do you use a comma before such?
It depends on the context. You could use it when using "such" in place of "for example", but it would not be mandatory. An example is: "I like sweet foods, such as chocolate and biscuits." However, the sentence functions equally well without the comma. You would not need it in the following context: "I think the loss of rainforests is such a waste."
