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Commas, Colons,

Semi-colons and

Apostrophes

Commas

Commas indicate a pause

Commas

Commas are used to:

1. Separate two independent clauses with a

coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

Ex: I ate ice cream, but Alex ate pizza.

2. After an introductory word or phrase in a sentence

Ex: Now, I will head to the store.

3. Separate an appositive

(noun/noun phrase or clause)

Ex: I spoke to a scientist, Joanna, about the pathogen.

4. Separate three or more items in a series

(for our purposes, we use the oxford comma)

Ex: My cousin trains dogs, cats, birds, and exotic animals.

5. In coordinate adjectives - adjectives are equal. They

can be swapped and still make sense ("and" rule)

Ex: The simple, short quiz. (The short, simple quiz)

6. To set off all geographical names / items in dates

(NOT month / day), addresses (NOT street number /street

name), cities and countries, and titles in names.

Ex: On October 3rd, 2015, Sydney Clark, Google

marketing director, traveled to 14 Appian

Way in Rome, Italy.

Practice problems

Practice

Fix the errors below. Then check the "answer" bubble to see the correct sentences

1. We bought a lot of, pizza.

2. Although I like people, especially my friends I like animals more.

3. I need some milk eggs and sugar for my cake.

4. Your future is important enough, to deserve your full effort.

5. Bullies are, not worth your energy.

6. I think that pizza is so much better but ice cream is good too.

7. The student is, easily distracted.

8. The students who developed organizational skills and studied regularly performed well.

Answers

Answer

fixed sentences

1. We bought a lot of pizza.

2. Although I like people, especially my friends, I like animals more.

3. I need some milk, eggs, and sugar for my cake.

4. Your future is important enough to deserve your full effort.

5. Bullies are not worth your energy.

6. I think that pizza is so much better, but ice cream is good, too.

7. The student is easily distracted.

8. The students, who developed organizational skills and studied regularly, performed well.

extra sources

EXTRAS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGOJcljY8wk

Colons

A colon is a punctuation mark that precedes a list, quotation, or expansion of an idea.

A colon = "here's what I mean."

Colons

1. Use colons to introduce items in a series.

ex: I am required to bring the following for camping: sleeping bag, flashlight, pillow, and clothes.

*Avoid using a colon when introducing a series that FOLLOWS a verb or preposition.

NOT CORRECT: I want: eggs and sugar.

2. Use colons to introduce a quotation. Capitalize the first word of a quotation after the colon.

ex: I made an announcement: "I need some food."

3. Use a colon when writing a formal letter.

ex: (formal) Dear President Biden: VS.

(informal) Dear Alex,

4. Use a colon between hours and minutes.

School starts at 8:45 AM.

Practice Problems

Practice Problems

Fix the errors below. Then check the "answer" bubble to see the correct sentences.

1. Dear Principal Williams,

2. She announces to the class "I want bread."

3. I need: food, water, and shelter.

4. My mom needs me to bring things to the pool water, sunscreen, and a towel.

5. Before class started, I studied the following for the quiz vocabulary, notes, practice problems, and Khan Academy.

Answers

Answers

Answers to the top 4 practice problems.

1. Dear Principal Williams:

2. She announces to the class: "I want bread."

3. I need food, water, and shelter.

4. My mom needs me to bring things to the pool: water, sunscreen, and a towel.

5. Before class started, I studied the following for the quiz: vocabulary, notes, practice problems, and Khan Academy.

Semicolons

Semicolons separate elements in a sentence.

It is stronger than a comma, but not as strong as a period.

Semi- colons

1. Use a semicolon, in place of a comma and

coordinating conjunction, between independent clauses.

ex: I dislike this homework; I still need to complete it.

2. Use a semicolon with conjunctive adverbs/transition words or phrases and independent clauses.

ex: I needed to go for a walk and get some fresh air; also,

I needed to buy a few groceries.

3. Use a semicolon between parts of a compound sentence when the clauses are long and complicated, or when they contain commas.

ex: They were young, determined soldiers; they

fought for many hours at a stretch, persisted in bad

weather, and all at great risk.

*NOTE* You do NOT use a semicolon

with a dependent clause

Practice problems

Practice Problems

1. I really love Atlanta United soccer moreover I enjoy Georgia football.

2. Since I am here; I can check in at the front desk.

3. I am; really excited for you to come to the play.

4. The band gave a wonderful performance I was really impressed!

5. Because Toby didn't finish his homework; he can't go to softball.

Answers

Answers

1. I really love Atlanta United soccer; moreover, I enjoy Georgia football.

2. Since I am here, I can check in at the front desk.

3. I am really excited for you to come to the play.

4. The band gave a wonderful performance; I was really impressed!

5. Because Toby didn't finish his homework, he can't go to softball.

Apostrophes

Punctuation mark ( ’ ) used to indicate either possession (Harry's book; boys' coats) or the

omission of letters or numbers (he's; class of ’99).

Apostrophes

1. Use an apostrophe for a contraction.

ex: I didn't know the quiz is Tuesday.

2: Use an apostrophe when showing possession.

ex. The table's leg is brown.

For plural nouns that end in s, add only an apostrophe.

ex: robots = robots'

For plural nouns that do NOT end in s, add 's

ex: It's women's history day

3. DO NOT add 's to plural nouns that end in S.

*note - for names ending in an S, you can do either

ex: The dogs's leashes became tangled while she

walked Wolfie, Kona, and BB. = incorrect

The dogs' leashes became tangled while she

walked Wolfie, Kona, and BB. = Correct

4. Don't use apostrophes on plural

letters or numbers.

ex:I want all As.

Practice Problems

Practice Problems

1. (Create a contraction) The student did not prepare for the presentation.

2. The planets atmospheres may support life.

3. They got all A's on their last report card.

4. Grant Parks trees are very green and healthy.

5. (Create a contraction) The student should not use a cell phone in class.

Answers

Answers

1. (Create a contraction) The student didn't prepare for the presentation.

2. The planets' atmospheres may support life.

3. They got all As on their last report card.

4. Grant Park's trees are very green and healthy.

5. (Create a contraction) The student shouldn't use a cell phone in class.

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