Commas and Semicolons in a Series

Commas and Semicolons in a Series

​

Items in a series are separated by commas.

• A series is a list of the same kinds of words.

• Commas follow every item in a series except the last one.

Examples of Series

• Sports

• Friends

• Shoe Names

• Food

• Places

• Movies

Multiple Choice

What are items in a series separated by?

• commas

• periods

• spaces

Multiple Choice

Commas follow every item in a list except which one?

• first item

• second item

• last item

Examples of Correct Comma Usage

• Snakebites, cuts, and other injuries are part of the job.

• Tonight I'm going to have tacos with lettuce, tomato, and cheese.

Examples of Incorrect Comma Usage

• Snakebites cuts and other injuries are part of the job.

• Tonight I'm going to have tacos with lettuce tomato and cheese.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• I like apples oranges and bananas.

• I like apples, oranges and bananas.

• I like apples, oranges, and bananas.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• Bring me my keys, phone, and wallet.

• Bring me my keys, phone and wallet.

• Bring me my keys phone and wallet.

Using Semicolons in a Series

• Semicolons are used when the items in a series already contain a comma.

• Example: I have lived in Orlando, Florida; Houston, Texas; and Denver, Colorado.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences using semicolons correctly in a series?

• We are thinking of moving to Helena, Montana, Juneau, Alaska or Honolulu, Hawaii.

• We are thinking of moving to Helena; Montana; Juneau; Alaska; or Honolulu; Hawaii.

• We are thinking of moving to Helena, ; Montana; Juneau, ; Alaska, ; Honolulu, ; Hawaii.

• We are thinking of moving to Helena, Montana; Juneau, Alaska; or Honolulu, Hawaii.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences uses semicolons correctly in items in a series?

• The winner of the contest were John Smith, captain; Pocahontas, Native American; and James I, king.

• The winner of the contest were John Smith; captain; Pocahontas; Native American; and James I; king.

• The winner of the contest were John Smith-captain; Pocahontas-Native American; and James I-king.

• The winner of the contest were John Smith-captain;,Pocahontas-Native American, and James I-king.