Punctuation is Important!

Colons

• A Colon is used to call attention to what follows.

• When to use:– Before a list that follows a complete statement– Before an independent clause that restates

the idea– Before an appositive at the end of a sentence

Examples of Colon Usage• Before a list that follows a complete statement

– Sara bought several items for her cruise: a bikini, a dress and two pairs of sandals.

• Before an independent clause that restates the idea– A lizard never worries about losing its tail: it

can always grow another one.• Before an appositive at the end of a sentence

– The grasping of seaweed reveals the most important part of the seahorse: its prehensile tail.

Semi-colons• A semi-colon is used to separate sentence

elements.

• When to use:– Between independent clauses without a

conjunction– Between independent clauses with a

conjunction when clauses have commas– Before transitional connectives– Between items in a series containing internal

commas

Examples of Semi-colon Usage• Between independent clauses without a conjunction

– You’d better read this email; I think you need to answer it now.

• Between independent clauses with a conjunction when clauses have commas– Sara received an invitation to the ball, reception and dinner; she

looks forward to dancing, talking and eating.

• Before transitional connectives– The police calmed the riot; however, fighting broke out the next

day.

• Between items in a series containing internal commas– Jason had to complete several projects due at the end of the

class: a journal, which he kept up; a science experiment, which was only half-finished; and a research paper, which he completely ignored.

Commas

• A comma is used to separate main sentence elements.

• When to use:– Between independent clauses joined by coordinating

conjunctions (FANBOYS)– Between elements of a series or in dates, addresses

or place names– Before direct quotations– After an introductory phrase or adverbial clause

preceding the main clause

Examples of Comma Usage• Between independent clauses joined by coordinating

conjunctions (FANBOYS)– I escaped from the burning house, for I was prepared.

• Between elements of a series or in dates, addresses or place names– He used sage, chicken stock, cornbread and onions to

create the stuffing.

• Before direct quotations– The mayor said, “I hate you all!!”

• After an introductory phrase or adverbial clause preceding the main clause– If I buy too many eggs, I may not be able to use them all.

Commas (cont.)

• A comma is also used to enclose ideas

• When to use:– Any interrupter between a subject and a verb– A short appositive– A parenthetical expression– A noun or pronoun of direct address or

interjection

Examples of Comma Usage (cont.)• Any interrupter between a subject and a verb

– The weight of the prize-winning fish, give or take an ounce, was 126 pounds.

• A short appositive– The largest tech firm, Apple, began its construction in

1986.

• A parenthetical expression– The understudy of the role, on the other hand, wanted

as much money as the star.

• A noun or pronoun of direct address or interjection– Hey, you, get out of the way!

Dashes

• A dash is used to separate sentence elements and enclose ideas

• When to use:– Before a summary word– Before an appositive– Before repetition– In an internal series– In an abrupt change of thought

Examples of Dash Usage• Before a summary word

– Catwoman,Superman and Batman – all wore costumes.

• Before an appositive– The kangaroo carries it own nest – its pouch.

• Before repetition– The plumber came into the kitchen loaded – loaded

with beer, not tools.

• In an internal series– Three fencing moves – the advance ,the retreat, the

lunge - all demand attention.

• In an abrupt change of thought– There’s a great website – I can’t remember the URL –

to help you solve the problem.

Parentheses

• Parentheses are used to enclose ideas.

• When to use:– Words that have no bearing on the main idea– As an interrupter– An appositive– Modifier between subject and verb

Examples of Parentheses Usage• Words that have no bearing on the main

idea– I told Alice (who wouldn’t?) the truth.

• As an interrupter– The colors of the flag (red, white and blue)

decorated the hall.

• An appositive– His former wife (the pretty model) now owns

his business.

• Modifier between subject and verb– The slogan of the state (comical yet enticing)

helps tourism.

1. Using the picture as a guide, write a declarative, loose, medium-length sentence that includes a demonstrative pronoun, an abstract noun, a linking verb, and an adjective clause. Make sure all punctuation is correct!

3. Using the picture as a guide, write an interrogative, periodic, long-length sentence that includes an interrogative pronoun, a compound noun, a linking verb, and an adverbial clause. Make sure all punctuation is correct!