Commas, Semicolons; Colons:

RULES:
Commas, Semicolons, Colons
9-10.L.CSE.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing; when reading and writing, explain the functions of semicolons and colons to separate related ideas and use them correctly to do so; write and edit work so that it conforms to a style guide appropriate for the

discipline and writing type

Use commas:
Dates
On January 14, 2014, my daughter was born. -OR- She was born on January 14, 2014, on a really cold day.
City, State or City, Country
We live in Greeneville, Tennessee. -OR- The zip code for Greeneville, Tennessee, is 37745.
Direct Address
Ms. Miller, I have a question. -OR- I have a question, Ms. Miller. -OR- I think you, John, always have a question.
Interrupters
I am, however, going to stay after school.
Antithetical phrases
I will, unlike Ms. Jones, be here for 30 minutes.
Items in a series
You can bring your book, computer, pencil, and some paper.
To connect two independent clauses with FANBOY conjunction
You can also bring a snack, but you must clean up after yourself.
Introductory phrases or clauses
If you don't have a snack, you can pick one up from the box.
To set apart nonessential phrases and clauses
Ms. Jones, the afterschool teacher, will be glad to help you with your work.
Direct Quotations
John quickly replied, "Thank you so much for your help!"

​Commas

Match

Match the following comma rule with correct comma usage.

• He walked down the street, and then he turned the corner

• Near a small stream at the bottom of the canyon, park rangers discovered a gold mine.

• Mary promised that she would be a good girl, that she would not bite her brother, and that she would not climb onto the television.

• John, who spent the last three days fishing, is back on the job again.

• I think you’re wrong, John.

To connect two independent clauses

After introductory phrases or clauses

To separate items in a series

To set apart nonessential parts

Direct Address

• To connect two independent clauses

• After introductory phrases or clauses

• To separate items in a series

• To set apart nonessential parts

• Direct Address

Match

Match the following comma rule with the correct comma usage.

• On December 12, 1890, orders were sent out for the arrest of Sitting Bull.

• John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, in 1940.

• I am, by the way, very nervous about this

• Tara, unlike Megan, finds chemistry fascinating.

• “I dislike concerts,” proclaimed Mary, “because the music is too loud.”

Dates

City, State or Country, State

Interrupters

Antithetical phrases

Direct Quotations

• Dates

• City, State or Country, State

• Interrupters

• Antithetical phrases

• Direct Quotations

Use semicolons to connect related independent clauses.
Don't need with a conjunction.

Use semicolons in a serial list (especially when MORE commas might be confusing).


Use semicolons with conjunctive adverbs

Semicolons

Multiple Choice

Semicolons can be used to connect:

• Two dependent clauses

• Two related independent clauses

• One dependent clause and one independent clause

Multiple Choice

What should never follow a semicolon?

• A conjunction (e.g., and, but, so, or, nor, etc.)

• A transition

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

• I love going to the beach; and collecting shells.

• I love going to the beach and; collecting shells.

• I love going to the beach; also, I love collecting shells.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

• Waffles are better than pancakes; they don't get soggy as quickly.

• Waffles are better than pancakes; and they don't get soggy as quickly.

• Waffles are better than pancakes because; they don't get soggy as quickly.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

• I am going home, moreover; I intend to stay there.

• I am going home; moreover, I intend to stay there.

• I am going home; moreover; I intend to stay there.

Multiple Choice

Select the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly

• On the table were three piles: meat, chicken, and fish; rice, bread, and pasta; and spinach, broccoli, and kale.

• On the table were three piles; meat; chicken; and fish; rice, bread, and pasta; and spinach, broccoli, and kale.

• On the table were three piles: meat, chicken, and fish & rice, bread, and pasta & and spinach, broccoli, and kale.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses semicolons correctly?

• I have visited Washington, DC, Nashville, TN, and New Orleans, LA.

• I have visited; Washington, DC, Nashville, TN, and New Orleans, LA.

• I have visited Washington; DC; Nashville; TN; and New Orleans; LA.

• I have visited Washington, DC; Nashville, TN; and New Orleans, LA.

Colons are most often used to introduce lists.

Colons can be used before a noun or a noun phrase.
I have two favorites: chocolate and strawberries.

Colons can introduce a quotation.

A colon should not separate a noun from its verb, a verb from its object or subject complement, a preposition from its object, or a subject from its predicate.

​Colons

Multiple Choice

• There are several grocery stores where you can buy apples: Trader Joe’s, Aldi, and Kroger, among others.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

They’re my ideal partner: outgoing and smart.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

When I graduate, I want to go to: Rome, Israel, and Egypt.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

My grandmother use to repeat this great wisdom: “The journey is the destination.”

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

The three types of muscle in the body are: cardiac, smooth, and skeletal.

• Correct

• Incorrect