Punctuation Mark ( COLON<SEMI COLON, COMMA

To separate items in a list.

To connect two complete sentences without a conjunction.

To end a question.

To introduce a direct quote without a verb.

After the second simple sentence.

Before the coordinating conjunction (e.g., but, so).

Before the first simple sentence.

Only if the sentences are very long.

Only at the end of the inserted phrase.

Only at the beginning of the inserted phrase.

Both before and after the inserted phrase.

Commas are not used for inserted phrases.

Yes

No

To separate items in a list of three or more.

To introduce a direct quotation.

To connect two complete sentences without a coordinating conjunction.

To set off an introductory phrase.

The profits for the year were better than last year. The company will be able to expand in the future.

The company president was away on a business trip. He will be back next week.

The profits for the year were better than last year, the company will be able to expand in the future.

The company president was away on a business trip; he will be back next week.

To connect two independent clauses that are closely related.

To introduce something that explains, illustrates, or elaborates on what precedes it.

To separate items in a simple list.

To indicate a pause in a sentence.

Always capitalize the first word.

Always use lowercase for the first word.

Capitalize only if the word is a proper noun.

Capitalize if it's a complete sentence, otherwise lowercase.

To separate items in a complex list.

To introduce a quotation.

To connect two closely related independent clauses.

To indicate a strong pause before a concluding statement.