Comma, Colon & SemicolonComma, Colon & Semicolon

Rules on Using CommaRules on Using Comma

1. After introductory words During the summer of 1999, we visited Spain. Unfortunately, we did not speak Spanish. Finally, we arrived at our hotel.

2. Before coordinating conjunctions, FANBOYS We are bringing sandwiches, and Tom is bringing soft drinks to the picnic. We don't need to bring raincoats, for the sun is shining brightly.

Rules on Using CommaRules on Using Comma

3. After dependent clauses when they begin a sentence Although I was sick, I went to my classes. Because it was raining, the game was cancelled.

Rules on Using CommaRules on Using Comma

4. To separate certain phrases from the rest of the sentence; To separate extra information

 Malaria, once a widespread disease, is now under control. Mr. Obama, the President, said that he would give his full support to the proposal. The Amazon, the second longest river, is 4,000 miles long.

Rules on Using CommaRules on Using Comma

5. To separate extra-information adjective clause from the rest of the sentence: The Nile, which is the longest river in the world, is 4,160 miles long. My new computer, which I bought yesterday, stopped working today.

Rules on Using CommaRules on Using Comma

6. To separate elements in a series The English professor adjusted her glasses, arranged her notes, greeted the students, and began her lecture. Her room was spooky, cold, dark, and dirty.

Rules on Using CommaRules on Using Comma

1. Oil which is lighter than water rises to the surface.

2. Nice is a word with many meanings and some of them are contradictory.

3. After surviving this hardship my friend felt relieved.

4. Glamour the woman's fashion magazine has recently sold millions of copies.

5. Mr. and Mrs. Ali my parents' best friends sat in front of us at the football game.

Activity 1: Add commas where needed:

6. To get tickets for this movie you have to order three months in advance.

7. Chris didn’t see how he could organize write and edit this paper in only two hours.

8. Dauphin Island located off the coast of Alabama is a favorite spot for fishing.

9. Mark Adam my cousin hopes to graduate from law school in two years.

10. The recipe needed jam flour sugar fruit eggs ketchup and baking powder.

Activity 1: Add commas where needed:

Rules on Using Colon

1- The colon is often used to introduce a list of items: You will need to bring three things to the party: some food, something to drink, and a small gift for the hostess. In the bag were the following: scissors, a hairbrush, and her address book. These are my favourite breakfast meals: corn flakes, scrambled eggs, and peanut butter toast.

2- You can also use a colon to introduce an idea, an explanation or a definition of something: I'll tell you what I'm going to do: I'm going to quit!These are the things I look for in a new house: modern, spacious, and luxurious. We have to stop doing these harmful things: polluting the rivers, burning fossil fuels, and using our cars. Elephant (noun): a large, grey mammal found in Africa and India.

Rules on Using Colon

Rules on Using Semicolon

1. The semi-colon is often used to join together two independent clauses which are closely related.  Mary drives a Mercedes; Joanne drives a Toyota. He ate six sandwiches; he also got a stomachache. Tom always slept with the light on; he was afraid of the dark.

2. The semi-colon is also used in compound sentences to join two independent clauses, especially with conjunctive adverbs such as however, furthermore, moreover, nevertheless, as a result, for example, on the other hand, etc. He was very ill; therefore, he decided to take the day off. He was poor; however, he lived happily.

Rules on Using Semicolon

Activity2: Punctuate the following sentences:

1. professor smith is at a conference however dr jones who is the president will be here soon

2. my favorite hobbies include going to movies reading novels and participating in sports

3. the future of our wild animals is uncertain for example illegal shooting and chemical poisoning threaten the bald eagle

4. some people feel that grades are unnecessary others feel grades motivate students

5. advertising is essential to the free enterprise system yet it can sometimes be very annoying

6. the library offers many special services the student learning center the phonorecord library and group study rooms

7. to check a book out of the library you should follow these procedures write down the call number of the book find the book bring it to the circulation desk fill out the card and show your i.d.

8. I have only one thing to say to you get off my land

9. even if you fail at least you tried and youre a better person for it

Australia which is the home of many unusual animals is the home of the kangaroo kangaroos are animals that have pockets or pouches a kangaroo baby which is only about the size of a little bird when it is born lives in its mother’s pouch until its back and legs have grown strong kangaroos which have very long legs can make fierce kicks to other animals other animals which rear their babies in pouches are possums wombats and koalas

Although many people enjoy coffee they find that it can make them nervous if they drink too much of it caffeine which is the primary active ingredient in coffee can become addictive many people find that when they try to quit drinking coffee they often develop headaches and other symptoms of withdrawal furthermore it has been found that caffeine may contribute to breast disease in women under forty one must admit however that there is nothing like a good cup of coffee first thing in the morning personally I cannot imagine life without it