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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 do you write however with a semicolon?
You can also use a semicolon when you join two independent clauses together with one of the following conjunctive adverbs (adverbs that join independent clauses): however, moreover, therefore, consequently, otherwise, nevertheless, thus, etc. For example: I am going home; moreover, I intend to stay there. It rained heavily during the afternoon; however, we managed to have our picnic anyway. They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark; therefore, they decided to camp for the night.
A comma is not necessary after "as well as" if it is being used to introduce more items in a list. However, if the phrase "as well as" is used to provide additional information in a sentence, a comma may be needed before and after it to set off that phrase.
Should you put a comma before such as?
Only when the such as begins a clause. A comma indicates a pause, or a change of direction in the thought.
Can a sentence that has original statement with quotation marks have a comma?
Yes, a sentence with a quoted statement can have a comma outside the quotation marks if the comma is not part of the original quoted material. For example: She said, "I will be there tomorrow."
Two sentences written as one sentence?
You can sometimes replace a period with a semicolon; it's not that difficult.
What is an example of a sentence in which a semicolon is used correctly?
Does the comma come before yet?
Not necessarily. The comma indicates a pause or "change of direction" in the thought. The comma goes before yet when it means "although," and starts a new clause. For example: "I haven't yet seen her" and "I knew her, yet I did not recognize her."
Semicolon?
I believe it is used like this:
Jane's birthday was yesterday; She turned ten. Yes, that's right. It is used when two independent clauses are closely related. In the example above, the two independent clauses could be used as separate sentences. A period separating them would be grammatically correct but would sound choppy, so a semi-colon can be used. The word she should not be capitalized. That's most likely a typo.
Two sentences written as one sentences and is usually separated by a comma?
A compound sentence combines two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction, such as "and," "but," or "so." It is a way to express two related ideas in a single sentence.
Do you use a comma before the word 'which'?
It depends on what part of speech the which is, whether it merely reflects back as part of an adjectival phrase within the main clause, or is part of a separate clause. For example, the difference between "I used the key which I keep in my pocket" (as opposed to all the keys I do not keep in my pocket), and "I used the key, which I keep in my pocket" (in case you wondered where I found it). Use the comma where you would pause when speaking aloud. If which is part of a separate clause or thought, you'll pause there, however briefly, or change the tone of your voice.
What is two sentences written as one sentence and is usually separated by a comma?
A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
What is a sentence where a semicolon is used correctly?
It should be written like this: "Joe watered the garden; however, the plants did not grow". Or you could eliminate the semicolon altogether and use a comma as in: "Joe watered the garden, but the plants did not grow."
B.
This sentences uses a semicolon; the semicolon joins two complete sentences.
A colon could be used for a number of things.
It could be used before giving a list.
I needed three things: a fork, a knife, and a spoon.
It could be used to give an explanation.
The reason why I missed my meeting was simple: I slept in.
It could be used to introduce dialogue, indirectly or directly (usually in a play).
Indirectly
I always would remember what my mom told me as a child: all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Directly
John: Watch out for that cat!
It could also be used, like a semi-colon, to connect two short but related ideas.
Sweat trickled down my head: it was unbearably hot.
(Notice how it flows better than 'Sweat trickled down my head. It was unbearably hot.')
It could be used when defining of describing something.
Identifiable: able to be identified.
It could be when quoting the bible, of course.
Mark 2:12
It could be used when writing time.
3:46 PM.
And lastly, it could be used when separating a title.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Do you put a comma before the word and?
It depends on the context. In a list of items, you generally do not need a comma before "and" (e.g., "apples, oranges and bananas"). However, in some cases like complex sentences or between independent clauses, a comma before "and" can clarify the meaning.
Can you put commas in a sentence that is in quotations?
A sentence in a quotation may contain commas.
Semicolons are used to separate two independent clauses that hold the same idea, thus keeping them in the same sentence. You could say "I like baseball. Soccer is faster" however, you can also say "I like baseball; soccer is faster".
A comma should be placed after "however" when it is used at the beginning of a sentence to indicate contrast or opposition. For example: "I wanted to go to the party; however, I had too much work to do."
Is there a comma after for example in a sentence?
Yes, there should be a comma after "for example" when it is used to introduce an example in a sentence. This helps to separate the example from the rest of the sentence for clarity and to indicate a pause.
A full stop is used at the end of a sentence to indicate a complete thought or statement. It is also used in abbreviations and to separate numbers in decimal notation.
Do you put a comma after the word 'and' in a compound sentence?
This question is difficult to answer, because I believe you are unsure of what a compound sentence is. A compound sentence has two complete clauses that are linked together by a comma. In a compound sentence, you could replace the comma with a period and not change the meaning.
Example: John ate his lunch outside, Sally ate her lunch in the cafeteria.
If you are linking two separate clauses with a conjuction, the comma would go before the conjunction to avoid creating a run-on sentence.
Example: John ate his lunch outside, and Sally ate her lunch in the cafeteria.
Commas are used in several ways to set off elements in a sentence, including:
1) to separate nouns, as items in a list
I took salad, bread, and tomatoes to the potluck dinner.
2) to separate two or more adjectives
The small, round watermelons are perfect for a refrigerator.
3) to join two independent clauses with the use of a conjunction
I took salad and bread to the party, and I also brought an apple pie.
4) to set off a nonrestrictive clause, phrase, or appositive (before and after)
The bread, which had been edible yesterday, was now hard and stale.
5) to set off a phrase or clause that precedes the main clause
Before going to bed, he made sure that the cat was outside.
6) to separate contrasting elements
He discovered that he was Irish, not Scottish.
7) to set off quotations
He said, "I'll be back tomorrow."
8) between elements of addresses and dates
On May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh landed in Paris, France.
There are two common situations that generally require using semicolons:
- Use semicolons to separate independent clauses that do not have a coordinating conjunction between them.
Example: Joan went down to the beach with her mystery novel; Tina stayed in the house to finish her homework.
Note, however, that words like however and therefore are not coordinating conjunctions but rather conjunctive adverbs, and you still need a semicolon between clauses if the second one begins with a conjunctive adverb.
Example: Joan had finished her homework; therefore, she felt entitled to relax at the beach with her novel.
If you use a comma instead of a semicolon in these places, it is an error called a commasplice.
If you omit the semicolon and do not use any punctuation in its place, it is an error called a run-on sentence.
- Use semicolons to separate items in a list when these items are long and complex, especially if the items themselves contain commas.
Example: Please bring one of the following: an appetizer, especially "finger food" that does not require utensils; a salad or vegetable dish, hot or cold; or sweet individual treats like cookies, brownies, small pastries, or cupcakes.
Luckily, they saw a few empty seats, so they got closer together.
