Commas and Semicolons

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Commas and Semicolons

• How to . . .
• Pause

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What is a comma?

• A comma is a visual pause for the reader.
• A comma can be used for many reasons.

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When do you use a comma?

• To separate items in a series
• Words in a series
• I went to the store to get milk, eggs, and soda.
• Phrases in a series
• I need to take my medicine before work, during
  lunch, and after work.
• Clauses in a series
• In our band, Jeff sings, Mike plays the guitar,
  and Chris plays the drums.
• To separate two or more adjectives that modify
  the same noun
• He is tall, dark, and handsome.
• Before conjunctions (FANBOYS) when they join
  independent clauses
• For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
• I ate breakfast before school, but I was still
  hungry before 2nd block.

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When do you use a comma? (contd)

• Use commas to set off clauses which are
  nonessential
• A nonessential clause is a clause that adds
  information about the subject that is
  descriptive, but not necessary.
• J.D. Salinger, who wrote Catcher in the Rye, is a
  notorious recluse.
• To set off participial phrases
• A participial phrase is a phrase where a verb is
  used as an adjective.
• Jay-Z, knowing that Dirt Off Your Shoulder was
  the crowd favorite, waited until the encore to
  perform the song.

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When do you use a comma? (contd)

• Use commas after certain introductory elements
• Use after well, yes, no, and why when they begin
  a sentence.
• Yes, my favorite team is the Bulls.
• Well, I like math, but English is by far the
  best.
• Use after introductory participial phrases.
• Driving home from school, I had an epiphany.
• Use after a long opener that begins with any
  ABBI SAW A WUWU
• As, before, because, if, since, after, when,
  although, while, unless, whenever, until
• Because you loaned me money for lunch yesterday,
  I will loan you some for today.
• If you are ever lost while driving, pull into a
  gas station.

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When do you use a comma? (contd)

• Use commas to set off words of direct address,
  such as names and titles.
• David, can you lend me a pencil?

- Mr. Anderson, can I turn this in tomorrow?
NO!!!!!
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Other Comma Rules

• To set off a direct quotation from the rest of
  the sentence
• Come in, the boss said.
• Mary said, I dont want to.
• Between the day of the month and the year, and,
  in a sentence, after the year
• Steve was born in New York on March 5, 1990, and
  moved here last year.
• In the salutation of a personal letter
• Dear Grandma,
• Sincerely,

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What is a Semicolon?????

• A semicolon is a punctuation mark that connects
  independent clauses when they are not connected
  by a conjunction (FANBOYS).

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When do you use a semicolon?

• You use a semicolon when you are connecting two
  independent clauses without a conjunction.
• The students entered the room class started when
  the bell rang.
• Spring break is a few weeks away I am going on a
  trip with my family.

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When do you use a semicolon?

• Use a semicolon between independent clauses
  joined by the following words

• Accordingly
• Hence
• However
• Indeed
• Moreover
• Thus
• That is
• Besides
• Also
• Therefore
• Still

• Otherwise
• In fact
• For example
• Furthermore
• Consequently
• Similarly
• Instead
• Nevertheless
• For instance

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Examples of Semicolon Use

• The football team won however, the team is still
  in second place in the conference.
• You have to water the flowers every day
  otherwise, they will wilt and die.
• Rachel loves to listen to Ludacris in fact, she
  has all of his albums.

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Grammar Girl Talks About Colons

• Grammar Girl