MEC 4
PUNCTUATION – LESSON 152
The Colon
• To indicate that an initial clause in a sentence will be further explained or illustrated.
e.g.: There is only one way to survive here: we have to help each other.
The first word of the second clause may be CAPITALIZED or not.
e.g.: There is only one way to survive here: We
have to help each other.
Colon
• To introduce a long formal statement, a quotation, or a question.
e.g.: After a long pause, the judge said: “You are innocent.”
The question is: Can you finish this exam in just ten minutes?
The first word of the second clause MUST be CAPITALIZED.
Colon
• To introduce a list of items, examples, or the like.
e.g.: I need four things: food, shelter, water, and love.
My mom makes three kinds of food for Thanksgiving: turkey, sweet potatoes, and dressing.
Colon
• The COLON is often preceded by such words as these, the following or as follows.
e.g.: I have lots of things to do tomorrow. But the following are the priorities: taking Sam to the doctor, getting Maggie’s medicine, going to the garage to have the car fixed and buying Edward a birthday gift.
COLON
• Notice that in the previous sentence, the verbs that follow the colon are expressed in Parallel Grammatical Structure.
e.g.: I have lots of things to do tomorrow. But the following the priorities: take Sam to the doctor, get Maggie’s medicine, go to the garage to have the car fixed and buy Edward a birthday gift.
Colon
• Colons follow labels that identify important ideas meant to get attention.
e.g.: Warning: To be opened by authorized personnel only.
Notice: Do not use after October 15th.
Colon
• Salutation in FORMAL letters.
e.g.: Dear Mr. Smith:
Gentlemen:
REMEMBER:
In INFORMAL letters, use a COMMA.
e.g.: Dear Mary,
Colon
• To separate HOURS from MINUTES.
e.g.: 10:05
12:00
Semicolon
• To separate two independent clauses that are not connected by a conjunction.
e.g.: I like you; John likes you, too.
If he goes to the party; I won’t take Susan.
Semicolon
• To join independent clauses that are connected by such adverb conjunctions:
therefore, however nevertheless, hence, thus, moreover, consequently, besides, furthermore and otherwise.
Semicolon
e.g.: He has to study; otherwise, he will flunk.
1.It is also possible to substitute the semicolon.
He has to study. Otherwise, he will flunk.
2. A comma generally follows the adverb conjunctions.
Semicolon
• When the items in a series themselves contain commas, separate the items with semicolons.
e.g.: We visited Erie, Pennsylvania; Buffalo, New York; and Toronto, Ontario.
Semicolon
• To join an initial clause that is introduced by the following expressions or words:
e.g. = for example
that is
i.e. = that is
in fact
for instance
namely
Semicolon
e.g.: Three students were mentioned; namely John, Sarah and Sylvia.
The film is only open to adults; i.e. people over 18.
Hyphen
• Hyphens are used internally in some compound words to separate the words forming the compound word.
e.g.: merry-go-round editor-in-chief
When unsure of the hyphenation of such words, check a dictionary. Usage may vary. As some words are more widely used, the hyphen in dropped. For example, in the early 1800's the word blackbird was usually spelled black-bird. Now the hyphen has been dropped.
Hyphen
• Hyphens connect the words of a compound modifier that comes before the word being modified. Hyphens are not used this way with compound parts ending in -ly or made up of proper nouns or proper adjectives.
Hyphen - FYI
• A proper noun is a noun which names a specific person, place, or thing. (person’s name, pet’s name, monuments, places, historical events, days of the week, months, etc)
Hyphen - FYI
• A proper noun used as an adjective or an adjective formed from a proper noun is called a proper adjective.
• Proper adjectives are normally capitalized. This includes brand names.
e.g.: Syrian food a Kodak® camera
Hyphen
e.g.: He is a well-respected man. (A compound modifier before the noun.)
That man is well respected. (The modifier follows the noun, no hyphen.)
Hyphen
e.g.: That was a badly punctuated sentence. (Modifier ends in -ly, no hyphen.)
The South American rain forest is home to hundreds of species of hummingbirds.
(Modifier is proper, no hyphen.)
Hyphen
• To spell a word
e.g.: S-T-U-D-E-N-T
• To divide a word into syllables
e.g.: inter-na-tion-al
• Numbers from 21 to 99
e.g.: twenty-one ninety-nine
Let’s check! Use Colon, Semicolon, Hyphen or X (no punctuation needed.)
1) I am very upset. My mother ( ) in ( )
is coming to visit us.
2) There is only one person for this kind of
job ( ) Mr. Nakajima.
3) There are seventy ( ) five people over there.
4) If I were you, I would only do one thing right now ( ) study hard.
- -
:-
:
Let’s continue!
5) Three students were ( ) mentioned ( ) namely John, Mary and Sue.
6) The following people are waiting outside
( ) Mr. Sardella, president ( ) Mrs. Smith, vice ( ) president ( ) and ( ) Mr. Baldwin, treasurer.
7) I have to bring lots of things tomorrow ( ) 5 books, 10 pencils and 25 notebooks.
X ;
: ;- X,
:
Keep up the good work!
8) I think ( ) you should give more attention to some special people ( ) your wife and kids.
9) Your mother wants you to do the following ( ) wash the dishes, prepare dinner, help Michael do his homework and water the plants.
10) Formal Letter. Dear sirs ( )
X:
:
: