Punctuation 2 COMMA ( , )
1. Use a comma after each item in a series of at least three items.
(It has become acceptable to omit the comma before the conjunction in a series.
However, it is important to remain consistent.)
Example: I still need to take a test, write an essay, and check out a book.
Example: I dislike spinach, aubergine, and cauliflower.
Acceptable: I dislike spinach, aubergine and cauliflower.
2-Use commas after the street address and city in an address.(Do not use a comma after the state.)
Example: The address is 1234 Apple Street, Midtown, Kansas 98765.
3. Use a comma after the day and the year in a date.
(No commas are used in dates when using the MLA style.)
Example: Connie’s birthday is February 20, 1965.
MLA version: Connie’s birthday is 20 February 1965.
4. Use a comma to clarify large numbers. Counting from right to left,
a comma is needed after every 3 digits. This rule does not apply to years,
where no commas are used at all.
Example: In The population of this town is 23,899.
5. Use a comma to set off an interruption in the main thought of a sentence.
Example: Rosa, of course, will bring her folding chairs.
6. Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that equally modify the same noun.
(If you aren’t sure whether to use a comma to separate the adjectives or not,
say the sentence with the word and in place of the comma. If it makes sense, then use the comma.)
Example: Jill was having problems with the unruly, disruptive children.
7. Use a comma after a dependent clause that begins a sentence.
(Never use a comma before a dependent clause at the end of a sentence.)
Example: If Mr. Wilson complains, we’ll invite him for a snack.
Example: We’ll invite Mr. Wilson for a snack if he complains.
8. Use a comma before the conjunction in a compound sentence.
However, if the two independent clauses are very short, you do not need the comma.
Example: We had a lot of fun, so I’ll have another party soon.
Example: She spoke and I took notes.
9. When quoting, put a comma to the left of a quotation mark that
does not already have a period, question mark, or exclamation point.
(It is much easier to remember this rule than to worry about "inside" and "outside".)
Example: Alice said, "I knew you would win the contest."
10. Use a comma after a mild interjection, such as oh or well.
Example: Oh, the test was not that difficult.
11. Use a comma after a noun of direct address.
Example: John, didn’t I ask you to clean your room?
12. Use a comma after the greeting in a personal letter.
Example: Dear Aunt Sheila,
13. Use a comma after the closing of a letter.
Example: Sincerely,
14. Use a comma to indicate where a pause is necessary in order to avoid confusion.
(Sometimes rewriting the sentence is a better choice.)
Example: After Kelly, Jennifer gets a turn.
Example: Maria came in, in quite a hurry.
15. Use a comma after an appositive. (An appositive is a noun or noun phrase
that gives additional information about the noun that it follows.
Do not use a comma after a restrictive appositive, which is one that cannot be removed
from the sentence without changing the meaning of the sentence.)
Example: Mark, my brother, is an engineer.
16-Use a comma to set off the abbreviation etc.
Example: I went to the store to get napkins, plates, cups, forks, etc.
SEMICOLON ( ; )
Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses.
(This eliminates the need for a comma and a conjunction.)
Example: Robert read a book; then he did a book report.
2. Use a semicolon to separate items in a series
when those items contain Punctuation such as a comma.
Example: We went on field trips to Topeka, Kansas; Freedom, Oklahoma; and Amarillo, Texas.
COLON ( : )
1. Use a colon between numerals indicating hours and minutes.
Example: School starts at 8:05 a.m.
2. Use a colon to introduce a list that appears after an independent clause.
(Introductory words such as following go somewhere before the colon to help introduce the list.)
Example: You need the following items for class: pencil, pens, paper, ruler, and glue.
3. When mentioning a volume number and page number, use a colon between the two items.
Example: You will find information about Mexico in Grolier Encyclopedia 17:245.
4. Use a colon after the greeting of a business letter.
Example: Dear Sir:
5. Use a colon between the title and subtitle of a book.
Example: Reading Strategies That Work: Teaching Your Students to
Become Better Readers is an excellent resource.
To be continued