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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 are the instances of using a semicolon in a sentence?
1) to separate independent clauses, those with introductions, or where commas are used in a clause
Example :
"The only entrance had been blocked; they were trapped."
"He was beaten; moreover, he had lost the will to fight."
2) to separate complex items (or those with commas) in a list
Examples:
"The three groups involved were the Communists and Socialists; the Democrats and Progressives; and the unaligned factions within the monarchy."
"The three men were from Austin, Texas; Topeka, Kansas; and Denver, Colorado."
Do you need a comma after a year when it is in a prepositional phrase of less than five words?
Yes, typically when a year is part of a prepositional phrase that is less than five words, a comma is not necessary. For example: "I graduated in May 2021."
we use commas so that it can be shown in a list like for example if you had a shopping list you would write down beans, vegetables, rice, bread and sugar. you add an and at the end because its the end of a list and it would not look nice it is just what happened during the roman or olden ages.
Do you put commas before and after please?
This will depend how the word "please" is used. Most sentences are unlikely to need a comma after the word, e.g. ""Please may I have a chocolate?" or "Please get me that book." However, a cmma could be used in some instances, e.g. "If you please, would you get me that book?"
Do you put a comma before the word unless in a sentence?
Yes, typically a comma is placed before the word "unless" when it is used to introduce a dependent clause in a sentence. This helps to clarify the relationship between the main clause and the conditional clause.
How do you quote a question in text?
I'm not sure exactly of your meaning but if you're writing a book and one of the characters asks a question, then you'd say something like
John then asked, "Where does the train go from?"
But if the charcacter is quoting someone else, then it would be
Jim said that John had asked where the train went from.
Commas are used to separate items in a list, to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence, to set off introductory phrases or clauses, and to offset nonessential information.
Do you put a comma after words first secondly lastly?
Yes, you would typically use a comma after transitional words like "first," "secondly," and "lastly" when they are used to introduce a list or sequence of items. For example: "First, gather the ingredients. Secondly, preheat the oven. Lastly, mix everything together."
Two sentences written as one and is usually seperated by a comma?
When two sentences are written as one and seperated by a comma, they are called a run-on or fused sentence.
Two sentences written as one sentence and is usally separated by a comma?
A compound sentence often consists of two independent clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
How do you know when to use a comma?
Use a comma to separate items in a list, before a conjunction in a compound sentence, after an introductory phrase, to set off non-essential information, and to separate adjectives. Additionally, commas are used with dates, addresses, and in direct address.
Use commas - sparingly - to indicate natural pauses or "changes in direction," to separate items in a list, and to avoid confusion. Compare "my sister Kate is here" to "my sister, Kate, is here." In the first case, the absence of a comma indicates that I have more than one sister, and its presence in the second case indicates that Kate is my only sister.
When do you use a colon as punctuation?
There are a few different times you will use a colon.
You would use a colon to introduce statements that summarize, explain, or restate what is said in an independent clause.
We packed the following things in the cooler: soda, sandwiches, apples, and bottled water.
This could also be reworded to only use commas.
We packed soda, sandwiches, apples, and bottled water in the cooler.
When an independent clause is summarizing or explaining the following independent clause, a colon may be used.
I will always remember our trip to Paris: We went dancing in the rain.
Colons are also used to separate hours, minutes, and seconds.
It was 10:52 PM when she finally came home.
Bible Chapters and Verses
John 3:16-17
Titles and Subtitles
"Eyewitness Books: Ancient Rome"
Formal Letters
Dear Mr. Jones:
Memos
To: Mr. Jones
From: Mrs. Myrab51
Re: Use of colons as punctuation
Does a comma always come before 'such as'?
No. A comma precedes "such as" when what follows is an example of whatever went before. In this case, it is nonrestrictive. (For nonrestrictive constructions: use a comma.)
Example
My favorite flavors of candy are fruit flavors, such as cherry and lemon.
The sentence is complete and the idea is complete without the list of specific instances. The list just illustrates the meaning of "fruit flavors" but does not restrict it. So it is nonrestrictive and needs a comma.
You don't use a comma before "such as" when what follows defines or limits what went before. In this case it is restrictive. (For restrictive constructions: no comma.) Example
The refugees were unable to carry things such as clothes, bedding, and furniture.
Here, what comes after "such as" serves to define (restrict) the idea of "things." The category isn't named. The list is necessary to explain what kinds of things the refugees had to leave behind. The category might be "household goods," but it isn't stated--instead, the "such as" list supplies the definition. It is restrictive. No comma.
(It would be better English to say "such things as...," but this wording stresses the parallel example.)
If you rewrote this sentence to name the category, you would then not need the comma:
The refugees were unable to carry their household goods, such as clothes, bedding, and furniture.
Two sentences written as one sentence and usually separated by a comma?
In formal writing a comma is not to be used two join two independent clauses. If comma is used between two sentences consisting of independent clauses it is known as comma splice. Two sentences formed by independent clauses should always be joined by a co-ordinate conjunction or a short punctuation mark such as semicolon if the sentences are closely related.
How would you write Monday June 2 2008 correctly?
Place a comma after Monday and after the day: Monday, June 2, 2008
When would you use a semi-colon?
A semi-colon is used to separate two independent clauses that are closely related; it can help create a stronger connection between the ideas presented. Additionally, semi-colons can be used to separate items in a list when the items themselves contain commas.
Where does the comma go in the sentence During the colonial days a school room looked rather empty.?
During the colonial days, a school room looked rather empty.
When do you use however in a sentence?
You use "however" in a sentence to introduce a contrasting idea or statement. It shows a contrast between two clauses or phrases, highlighting a contradiction or unexpected information. For example, "She wanted to go to the party; however, she had to study for her exam."
When should a semi-colon be used?
A colon is used to emphasize a specific part of a sentence; the part of the sentence before the colon must be able to stand by itself as its own sentence, however, Example: I could think of only one...
semi colons are used when we connect independent clauses and when indicating a closer relationship between the clauses than a period does.
Semi colons are used to connect two independent clauses. Also used when two sentences that could stand alone if separated by a period are used in lieu of the period.
Use a semicolon when you link two independent clauses with no connecting words - for example: Shoneka writes poetry; she is published in a literary magazine.
Semicolons have two main uses.
- First, they can be used to conjoin sentences, making them into a compound sentence: similar to using the comma-conjunction technique (", and").
- Second, they can be used to separate items on a list when the items on a list themselves contain commas within their names: a situation that may occur when listing titles of works.
Why does Holmes thump his stick on the pavement in front of thr pawnbroker's shop?
Holmes thumps his stick on the pavement in front of the pawnbroker's shop to create a distraction and draw the attention of the pawnbroker, allowing Watson to discreetly observe the shop without being noticed. This action helps Holmes and Watson gather information without arousing suspicion.
Two sentences written as one sentence and is usually separted by a comma?
A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction, such as "and," "but," or "so." It allows for the combination of two related ideas into one sentence.
A comma is usually not needed when a sentence includes an extra phrase beginning with the word?
"and," "but," "or," or "nor." This is known as a coordinating conjunction. For example, "I like to hike and swim" does not need a comma before "and."
Should you put a comma before as well?
ORIGINAL ANSWER: no ** That's not entirely correct. If the "as well as" phrase occurs with a clause at the end of a sentence, do not use a comma. EX: Bob gave a donation to Joe as well as his friend John. If the "as well as" phrase occurs with an interrupting clause in the middle of a sentence, do surround the clause with commas. EX: Bob, as well as his friend John, went to the premiere of the new movie. (As a longtime typist and transcriptionist, I know my commas!)
How do you punctuate a list of items that has commas within them?
Use your friend the semicolon. For example: I am going to the store to buy cream cheese; Arm and Hammer backing soda; Larry, Moe, and Curly Fries; and a cake. =============================== On the other hand, you could use a colon and commas. For example: My shopping list includes the following: a loaf of bread, a pound of butter, a dozen eggs, and a bottle of pop.
