Online writing lab semicolon use most writers think of semicolons as strong commas, when in reality they are more like weak periods. For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. Like commas, semicolons indicate an audible pauseslightly longer than a commas, but short of a. Most newspapers and magazines drop theoxford comma in a simple series, apparently feeling its unnecessary. Parenthetical means not necessary to the meaning of the sentence, so if you take out the words enclosed in commas, the sentence would still make sense. Commas and semicolons can easily become two of the most confusing punctuation marks to use properly. Interestingly, the dispute was resolved through the use of semicolons and cash. Generally, a semicolon should be used anytime a conjunctive adverb is used however, therefore, nevertheless, moreover, consequently, etc. To separate two independent clauses without a conjunction. I took angie, the one with the freckles, to the movie last night. This post is all about colons and semicolons punctuation is the name for the marks we use in writing.
Concepts are described in clear and simple phrases, and backed up with examples one would find in everyday language. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. Uses of the comma commas can also join independent clauses as long as the comma is followed by a coordinating conjunction for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. A semicolon should be followed by a capital letter only if the word is a proper noun or an acronym. The semicolon represents a break midway between a comma and a full stop, and is principally used to separate independent sentencelike clauses that are strongly related. Commas quiz 2 140 semicolons and colonsquiz 1 141 semicolons and colonsquiz 2 142 question marks, quotation marks, and parenthesesquiz 1 143 question marks, quotation marks, and parenthesesquiz 2 144. Punctuation end marks, commas,semicolons,and colons, pp. Commas punctuation rules the blue book of grammar and.
Semicolons and colons quiz 1 from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in the above example, it is known as the oxford comma. Semicolons instead of commas this article is about semicolons instead of commas enjoy your reading. Commas quiz 2 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Add a semicolon and a comma, and it flows gently from idea to idea. Jan 01, 1997 the blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules, realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests. For instance, older, more traditional grammar books. Oct 01, 2006 in the current edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation and on the website, we have stated a preference for use of the serial, or oxford, comma. Commas quiz 2 from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Its extremely well organized, ensuring that readers can. Aug 31, 2015 aug 31, 2015 semicolon or comma worksheet and answer key stay safe and healthy.
Ive been a technical writer for about 7 years, and jane straus the blue book of grammar and punctuation is the best reference ive found. Rule 1 to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. I took angie, the one with the freckles to the movie last night. Using semicolons in lists semicolons can be used in lists to outrank any commas which appear in list items. Daily grammar lesson 384 mechanics punctuation semicolons. In the english language, a semicolon can be used between two closely related independent clauses, provided they. Test your knowledge of comma usage by reading back through this article. Its extremely well organized, ensuring that readers can quickly locate a required topic. Thus, you only need semicolons to separate the units of the series from each other. Colons and semicolons are two valuable pieces of punctuation that separate sentence elements from each other. Grammar quiz commas, semicolons, colons, and apostrophes. Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas. Using semicolons in lists semicolons can be used in lists to outrank any.
Browse other questions tagged grammar questions semicolon or ask your own question. Make a list of the commas used and see if you can explain why they are there, according to the rules presented. Often, the appositive provides additional information about the noun or helps to distinguish it in some way. Our rule 1 of spacing with punctuation states, with a computer, use only one space following periods, commas, semicolons, colons, exclamation points, question marks, and quotation. Its main function is to connect two independent clauses that are closely related. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Semicolons instead of commas before fanboys the grammar.
Remember, semicolons are not interchangeable with commas or periods. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english. Denise prefers to eat chicken or fish, im a vegetarian. If youre reading this to get that exact information, i suggest you stop wasting your time on this website and get busy weeping.
The blue book of grammar and punctuation a short list of rules. Semicolons are used when separating two independent clauses. However, if the list items themselves contain commas, then semicolons can be used as separators to outrank those commas. Can semicolons be used instead of commas before coordinating conjunctions in sentences. Semicolons are used in place of a period to separate two independent clauses that are joined without a conjunction. Yes, ting said i did see the baby panda at the zoo today. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and nephew.
There are three and a half different ways to use however. How to use the comma and semicolon correctly pen and the pad. It also prevents confusion in sentences especially lists with lots of commas. Some writers seem to think that semicolons are fancy commas that create longer pauses that commas. Semicolons and colons quiz 2 the blue book of grammar. Uses of the comma book summaries, test preparation. The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition pages. While the semicolon does have quite a few uses in citations, grammar cat would rather clean litter boxes for eternity, sisyphusstyle, than optionally talk about citation formatting. Like commas, semicolons indicate an audible pauseslightly longer than a comma s, but short of a periods full stop. Sep 20, 2006 the semicolon is sort of like a cross between a comma and a period. Semicolons the blue book of grammar and punctuation.
The blue book of grammar and punctuation is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english grammar, punctuation, and usage. Dont confuse these 3 punctuation rules on the act english section duration. For instance, older, more traditional grammar books suggest the following sentence is correct. I have a question regarding the commas and periods quiz 1, on page 147 of the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The james madison memorial building built in 1981, houses the folger shakespeare library. In this sense the meaning of however is that the independent clause that. Written without jargon for all of us who need simple answers to our.
The main function of a colon is to introduce what follows it. Using semicolons semicolons are used for making lists clearer and for controlling the flow of text from one sentence to the next. Another way to look at it is to consider the simplest form of the sentence, which could be pam reid, a registered nurse, attended the meeting. Often, the appositive provides additional information about the noun or. The last major use of the comma, semicolon, and period hierarchy is in erlang 1986, where commas separate expressions.
Act grammar and punctuation notes commas and semicolons. Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate the nonessential element. The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in theabove example, it is known as the oxford comma. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences two weeks ago we revisited the case of the lawsuit brought by a group of maine dairy truck drivers that centered on the proper use of commas. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules, realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests.
I took angie the one with the freckles, to the movie last night. The semicolon can be used before phrases like that is, for example, namely, and other similarly functioning words when they introduce an independent clause. Thus, you only need semicolons to separate the units of the series from each other and not from the rest of the sentence. This handy workbook is ideal for teachers, students in middle school through college, esl students, homeschoolers, and professionals. Test your knowledge of comma usage by reading back through. Aug 31, 2015 semicolon or comma worksheet and answer key. Alright, you also can use semicolons to separate a list in which certain items in the list already use commas. There are special situations in which commas should also be used. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Use a semicolon to separate phrases a phrase is a group of words used as a sentence part. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and. Grammar project commas, semicolons, colons youtube. Commas before and in a series grammar and punctuation. My girlfriend eats healthy foods such as oranges, yogurt, vegetables, and rice.
Commas with quotation marks this article is about commas with quotation marks enjoy your reading. Semicolon or comma worksheet and answer key with images. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar. Cliffsnotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what youre studying, cliffsnotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. These websites explain everything you need to know. This timesaving video by brightstorm explains how to properly use semicolons.
Commas are used after introductory clauses and phrases, to set off interruptions within the sentence, with nonrestrictive phrases and clauses, and between items or modifiers in a series. Punctuation marks are tools that have set function. The blue book of grammar and punctuation will amuse you while demystifying the rules of grammar and punctuation. A revised and updated new edition of the bestselling workbook and grammar guide.
Its no accident that a semicolon is a period atop a comma. The semicolon represents a break midway between a comma and a full stop, and is principally used to separate independent sentencelike clauses that are strongly related never use a lathe or any other machine in the workshop if you are feeling ill or tired. Commas quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Paul high school, a smaller school in the larger twin cities area, competes well in athletic competitions. An appositive is a word or phrase that refers to the same thing as another noun in the same sentence. Ive seen authors drop the commas and insert semicolons before the conjunctions in similar cases. Dec 09, 2015 commas and semicolons can easily become two of the most confusing punctuation marks to use properly. For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct comma placement. Semicolons punctuation rules the blue book of grammar. When the phrases are short, a comma is preferable to the semicolon.
Written without jargon for all of us who need simple answers to our everyday questions, this new, updated version has 50% more materialrules, exercises, tests, and answersand a new cover that is both sleek and durable. Use a semicolon to separate phrases or clauses of equal rank which contain commas. Since the earliest days philosophers have dreamed of a country where the mind and spirit of man would be free. In the current edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation and on the website, we have stated a preference for use of the serial, or oxford, comma. Basically, this means you are using a comma where a period or semicolon should occur. The semicolon in such sentences brings clarity of meaning. Use commas when an ly adjective is used with other adjectives. This userfriendly resource includes simple explanations of grammar, punctuation, and usage. The blue book of punctuation and grammar gives this example. Like commas, semicolons indicate an audible pauseslightly longer than a commas, but short of a periods full stop. Grammar books disagree on whether or not the comma is necessary after the final item in a list. In writing, we use colons and semicolons to make connections and introductions. Jan 01, 2004 the blue book of grammar and punctuation will amuse you while demystifying the rules of grammar and punctuation. To use the choices worksheet, have each student pick.
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