So, its better to keep your concepts clear then screwing up a paragraph or essay. Semicolons, commas, and periods oh my a handy guide to some oftconfused punctuation. Although their names suggest a close relationship, semicolons and colons have quite different uses and are not interchangeable. Depending on the circumstances, one of two different punctuation marks can be used between the independent clauses in a compound sentence. Take this quiz and test your knowledge, even if you get the answers wrong, you can always learn. Students read each sentence and determine whether a comma or. Commas or semicolons worksheet 02 do your students need practice with commas and semicolons. Help them achieve mastery with this awesome worksheet. Answer key to colons and semicolons displaying top 8 worksheets found for this concept some of the worksheets for this concept are great grammar semicolons and colons, name semicolon or comma, title using commas and semicolons police, colons and semicolons, semicolons, semicolons and colons, colon, punctuation.
The main function of a colon is to introduce what follows it. 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. In writing, we use colons and semicolons to make connections and introductions. Semicolon worksheets and activities ereading worksheets. Difference between semicolon and colon compare the. You can also use a semicolon in a list to better distinguish pauses if the list is already punctuated with commas. Many companies make sugarfree soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving. In all languages, not just english, writers use punctuation marks or punctuation points as they are also called to indicate things like pauses and full stops, to convey or demonstrate emotion, the ask questions or declare statements, and even to separate items in a list. Exercising helps to keep you healthy and fit proper nutrition is also important.
Place semicolons between items in lists if some items the list include commas. I believe there are 3 things to achieving good grades. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so, or nor, for when it. In actuality, however, the semicolon has only two uses. What is the difference between a semicolon and a comma. Comma use can be mandatory, prohibited, or optional. Simply put, a semicolon is a punctuation mark that is used to separate two independent clauses. 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. Also check out the recent post on serial commas and serial semicolons on.
I overuse semicolons for no particular reason except that ive always liked them. Use commas to separate indepen dent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction and, but, or, nor. Punctuation is an essential part of writing in english and can change the whole point of the writing if didnt use at the right place. By having the wrong edition, the student was not able to read the poem properly. No comma between two independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction. Commas and semicolons click on this link to download a pdf of this chapter. Having a semicolon instead of a comma causes a long pause opposed to a short breath. A punctuation quiz to help you revise semicolons, colons, and commas. In the realm of punctuation, a comma is used for a brief pause, a semicolon for a more moderate pause, and a period as a full stop. However, used correctly, the semicolon can bring both clarity and nuance to your writing. Student choose either a semicolon or comma to complete each sentence and then explain their choice.
A comma indicates a small pause and upward inflection of. Like commas, semicolons indicate an audible pauseslightly longer than a commas, but short of a periods full stop. The semicolon looks like a comma with a period above it, and this can be a good way to remember what it does. As opposed to the comma, the semicolon principally separates related sentences. Each of the following sentences needs either a comma or a semicolon. When in doubt, take the semicolon out and make two separate sentences. Im providing you only with the information related to some of the most common errors i see in student writing. When to use commas with for, and, but, or, yet, so, nor duration. If they both are complete sentences, then you can use a semicolon. Click here for stepbystep rules, stories and exercises to practice all english tenses. Semicolons, commas, and periods oh my a handy guide to some oft confused punctuation.
Using the semicolon and colon university of leicester. Commas, colons, and semicolons commas are used to separate ideas, to set off special elements, and to set off quotations. The space needed after these punctuation marks is proportioned automatically. Commas or semicolons worksheet 01 determine whether the clauses need to be joined with commas or semicolons. Note that both the colon and semicolon are followed by a single space. Commas 1 commas and semicolons these are some basic rules regarding commas and semicolons. A comma is internal punctuation and is used only within a sentence. It is not end punctuation like a period, an exclamation point, or a question mark. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. The following list addresses all three of these cases together in seven rules. Unlike the semicolon, the information that follows a colon does not have to be in the form of an independent clause. Comma, use a comma after the first independent clause when you link two independent clauses with one of the following coordinating conjunctions. To separate items in a list that already has commas.
These two sentences are separated by a period, but they can be. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 grammar and punctuation. Grammar checkers will not help you much with your semicolons and colons. An explanation of the use of the colon is given below. A semicolon is used to separate two ideas two independent clauses that are closely related. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. If a plural noun does not end in s, add an apostrophe and s. How to use the semicolon there are three uses of the semicolon. If you dont know whether or not to use a colon, a semicolon. Our mission is to provide a free, worldclass education to anyone, anywhere. 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 marks. Many companies make sugarfree soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks. Colons and semicolons were initially used to express pauses longer than a comma and shorter than a period.
A semicolon is a form of punctuation that sorts out complex lists or links complete clauses. The semicolon is possibly the most misunderstood and misused punctuation mark in english grammar. For additional rules, please consult your usage and grammar guidebook. A semicolon creates more separation between thoughts than a comma. Therefore, they are called semicolons, which literally means half colon.
Semicolons, commas, and periods chapman university. A semicolon is tougher than a comma and gentler than a full stop, and its sound sits right in the middle of the two. A clause is part of a sentence that contains the subject and verb. To join two independent clauses complete sentences that are closely related to join two independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb or a transitional phrase therefore, however, as a result, in fact, etc.
Heres an awesome 20 problem comma and semicolon worksheet. Its useful to know that unlike a comma or a full stop, it is not necessary to use a semicolon. Commas and colons and semicolons uknowledge university of. The semicolon is a form of punctuation in the english language. However, it cant be used to replace either one of them. I like going fishing i dont like putting worms on hooks. It is hence very important to distinguish between the two punctuation marks, colon and semicolon. A comma is also a much briefer pause than a semi colon and by misusing one, the feel of a story or poem can be changed. Semicolon and colon are punctuation marks that should be used with precision in order to convey the correct sense. When not to use a semicolon use commas, not semicolons, after an independent clause it could stand alone as a full.
An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Originally, typewriters had monospaced fonts skinny letters and fat letters took up the same amount of space, so two spaces. Also use the semicolon when you already have commas within a sentence for smaller separations, and you need the semicolon to show bigger separations. In addition, even though it looks a lot like a colon. They can also be used when listing complex ideas or phrases that use commas within them. Using commas in your writing can improve your clarity, avoid confusion, and create natural pauses for your reader. Essentially, a semicolon is like a comma with more meaning or a colon with more flexibility.
The semicolon may be the most misunderstood punctuation mark of all. Comma difference and usage in all languages, not just english, writers use punctuation marks or punctuation points as they are also called to indicate things like pauses and full stops, to convey or demonstrate emotion, the ask questions or declare statements, and even to separate items in a. Semicolons look like a combination of a colon and a comma. The key to using a semicolon is that youre connecting two independent clauses, meaning that it expresses a complete thought.
Shared possessives possession is shared by more than one noun take an apostrophe and s on the last noun only, unless the nouns do not share. The use of these punctuation marks often confuses students. It is often confused with other punctuation marks, particularly the colon and the comma. We had a reunion with family from salt lake city, utah. Even when the house looks clean, there is usually a bunch of dirt swept under the rug. Semicolon vs colon knowing the difference between semicolon and colon is of great importance when using the english language. Grammar and mechanics using the colon and semicolon. Think you know when to use a semicolon in your writing.