Commas and Semicolons

Front

What is a comma?

Back

A punctuation mark (,) used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

When should you use a comma before a conjunction?

Back

Use a comma before a conjunction (like 'and', 'but', 'or') when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is a semicolon?

Back

A punctuation mark (;) used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list.

Front

When should you use a semicolon instead of a comma?

Back

Use a semicolon to connect two independent clauses that are closely related in thought, especially when they are not joined by a conjunction.

Front

What is a colon?

Back

A punctuation mark (:) used to introduce a list, a quote, or an explanation.

Front

How do you use commas in a list?

Back

Use commas to separate items in a list, placing a comma before the conjunction in a series (Oxford comma).

Front

What is the purpose of using a semicolon in a sentence?

Back

To link two independent clauses that are related, or to separate items in a list when those items contain commas.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

A group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a verb.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction.

Front

When should you use a colon?

Back

Use a colon to introduce a list, a quote, or to emphasize a point.