They can help writers to transition, pace sentences, layer meaning, and clarify. Commas 1 commas and semicolons these are some basic rules regarding commas and semicolons. Harry and cedric represented hogwarts in the triwizard tournament. Combining independent clauses word groups that can stand alone as separate sentences.
Heres an awesome 20 problem comma and semicolon worksheet. A semicolon can be used to join two or more complete sentences independent clauses. If there werent semicolons separating these items, readers would get confused reading a sentence with a ton of commas. Dashes, question marks, and exclamation points go inside closing quotation marks when.
In the following fivepart exercise select true or false to indicate whether the sentence uses the appropriate comma or semicolon. By the end of this video, you will know the basics about using a semicolon. Commas and periods go inside closing quotation marks. Commas and colons and semicolons quiz sponsored by the center for teaching and learning at uis last edited 6302008 page 1 of 2 tf commas clarify meaning and set sentence meter for readers. In addition, the word consciousness is not used correctly in your sentence. Commas set off parenthetical elements such as an appositive, which is a noun phrase or clause that renames or describes the noun directly beside it, and nonrestrictive relative clauses. Heres a great freebie for commas, semicolons, and colons for your middle or high schoolers.
Commas how and when do writers use commas in sentences. Janet was glad she had taken her umbrella with her to the concert. Semicolons and colons go outside closing quotation marks. Commas come before coordinating conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so when they link two independent clauses it was raining, and i was hurrying to get home. I cant believe you went to disneyland, six flags, and universal studios all in one day. Punctuation commas, semicolons, colons, quotation marks. Find this semicolon worksheet on this page of punctuation worksheets. Insert commas and semicolons to correctly punctuate the sentences. In writing, we use colons and semicolons to make connections and introductions. Where the list items already contain commas, a semicolon helps avoid confusion between the items.
Chap 10 part 1 commas and semicolons melissa brega. I can write complete, correctly punctuated sentences and. However, there are other instances where commas should be used as well. Semicolons, commas, and periods oh my a handy guide to some oft confused punctuation. Semicolons and colons to quote the last writing lab grammar worksheet, semicolon and colons are not fancy commas. Commas, colons, and semicolons commas are used to separate ideas, to set off special elements, and to set off quotations. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so, or nor, for when it. For some people biking is not just a way to get around, or a recreational pastime, it is a way of life. Use commas before and after an insertion or interruption nonessential or nonrestrictive element in a sentenceindependent clause. Semicolons can be used to link items in a list, such as objects, locations, names and descriptions.
The main function of a colon is to introduce what follows it. These two sentences are separated by a period, but they can be. Using commas in your writing can improve your clarity, avoid confusion, and create natural pauses for your reader. Using only commas, it is unclear what items are being listed exactly. Punctuation commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and dashes commas the basic rule of thumb for commas use is where there is a natural pause, use a comma. When to use a dash or dashes the dash or, more specifically, the em dash is perhaps the most versatile of the punctuation marks. For more information on semicolons, please see the 90second semicolon vidcast series on the purdue owl youtube channel. This resource offers a number of pages about comma use. Each section has students write in the correct punctuation.
A colon is used to introduce lists of items, after the greeting of a business letter, and to separate hours and minutes in time expressions. Spacing with punctuation periods commas semicolons colons question marks parentheses and brackets apostrophes hyphens dashes ellipses quotation marks exclamation points slashes. Commas or semicolons worksheet 02 do your students need practice with commas and semicolons. The barnett and rivera courts specify that, for a search warrant to be valid, the warrant must particularly describe what is to be searched.
One witness, the president of the bank, was in her office at the time of the robbery. Use commas after longer introductory phrases and clauses. The following list addresses all three of these cases together in seven rules. Commas and semicolons academic assistance and tutoring. No comma between two independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction. Also, our rule 5 of semicolons says, use the semicolon between two sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction when one or more commas appear in the first sentence. He likes mustard, onions, and chili on his hotdogs. Commas and semicolons in the space provided, write c if the sentence is correctly punctuated, and correct other sentences with a comma or a semicolon. If your students are anything like mine, they struggle with commas and semicolons. However, like the semicolon, it is underutilized in most kinds of writing.
Commas separate items in a series, including coordinate adjectives he bought bananas, apples, oranges, and cheese. This is a 10 question quiz that assesses a students ability to identify independent clauses and proper ways to join independent clauses using sentences about spongebob squarepants. Comma use can be mandatory, prohibited, or optional. The writing center commas, semicolons, and colons guides. Student choose either a semicolon or comma to complete each sentence and then explain their choice. In this sentence, the semicolon is used instead of a period. When to use commas, colons, semicolons, and dashes wordvice. Dashes can be used in pairs, like commas and parentheses, to set off an inserted comment in a sentence.
Like commas, semicolons indicate an audible pauseslightly longer than a comma s. Im going to leave early today, unless the boss comes back from. Semicolon worksheets and activities ereading worksheets. A semicolon is slightly different than a comma as it indicates a longer pause in the statements. Please note that there are a few other ways of using semicolons i. The semicolon provides a more emphatic separation than the comma. Eventually, the students will be able read shakespeare easily on their own. Use a semicolon to join two related complete thoughts sentencesindependent clauses without using a conjunction. There should be commas after the words fathers and bosses.
Many companies make sugarfree soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks. While writing, it is very important to use semicolons at the appropriate place since an inappropriate use of semicolon may confuse the reader. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. The washington monument, a massive obelisk, was completed in 1884.
When listing cities with their states in a list, it is necessary to have a semicolon. How and when to use semicolons and colons i can examine and implement formal conventions in writing my autobiography including correct use of dialogue, abbreviations, numbers, punctuation and contraction usage. Thus, the semicolon separates groups of words that could be complete sentences by themselves. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Commas and semicolons click on this link to download a pdf of this chapter. The ssu writing centerlocated in 1008 salazar libraryoffers tutorial. Correct the comma and semicolon use in the following paragraph. Help them achieve mastery with this awesome worksheet. Its no accident that a semicolon is a period atop a comma. A comma is required before the coordinating conjunction, though many english writers dont use a comma in such a circumstance. Students read each sentence and determine whether a comma or. Use commas, not semicolons, after an independent clause it could stand alone as a full sentence joined with another independent clause by a coordinating conjunction for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Each of the following sentences needs either a comma or a semicolon. Carla often participated in school plays, but she always ended up playing minor roles. Our mission is to provide a free, worldclass education to anyone, anywhere. Semicolons help divide listed items that each contain commas. Semicolons take the place of the comma and coordinating conjunction between two independent clauses. Semicolons knowing when to use semicolons is easier if you follow a few simple rules. Commas, semicolons, and colons freebie practice worksheet. Commas commas clarify meaning and set sentence meter for readers. Semicolons the semicolon has three primary functions. Im providing you only with the information related to some of the most common errors i. People utilize bikes not just to feel healthier both mentally and physically, but to also help the environment. Semicolons, commas, and periods chapman university. The thunderstorm began just as the audience was leaving. Many companies make sugarfree soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving.
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