Remember, a main clause, also known as an independent clause, is just something. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing book. To begin this semicolon vs comma refresher course, lets first look at a few definitions. She tattooed a semicolon on her body with a simple concept. Please note that there are a few other ways of using semicolons i. Today, i would like to demystify the colon and semicolon just like we demystified that dirty word grammar. Yes, it is a general rule that there should not be a space before a semicolon or colon. Written with the wit, warmth, and accessibility that the podcasts are known for, grammar girl s quick and dirty tips for better writing covers the grammar rules and wordchoice guidelines that can confound even the best writers. The semicolon looks like a period on top of a comma. Semicolons the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The main function of a colon is to introduce what follows it.
To the delight of word nerds everywhere, grammar girl s quick and dirty tips for better writing came out yesterday. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Following are two instances of the need for an appositive comma with one or more nouns. The use of these punctuation marks often confuses students. In this lesson, we will take a look at the colon vs semicolon. Grammar project commas, semicolons, colons youtube. A great kids book that can make learning grammar rules fun wow i never thought i would put those words together in a sentence. When should one use the comma versus the semicolon, and vice. Do use a comma before while when you mean whereas or although.
When you use colons and semicolons, you come off as a grammar genius. Subject the person or thing that is being discussed or described. The phrase following a semicolon has to be an independent clause, which is related to the previous one but not explaining it, contrary to a sentence introduced by a colon. The semicolon is one of the least common punctuation marks, but it is a useful one. Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to real. By the end of this video, you will know the basics about using a semicolon. Colon versus semicolon colons and semicolons have different functions. But i must say i have a great respect for the semicolon. Semicolons are sometimes used instead of full stops. Like commas, semicolons indicate an audible pauseslightly longer than a commas, but short of a periods full stop. Although the colon and the semicolon look similar, they each have very different uses in the english language. I love that the colon and semicolon have been brought into question for a few reasons. April 2011 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. No commas with which, that and who grammar monster.
This chart from grammar girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students gives examples of the 15 most common ways to use a comma. Commas can be tricky, but they dont have to trip you up. The main rule for these punctuation marks is to use them sparingly. Jan 01, 2008 now you can add the first printed book from mignon fogarty a. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing by.
Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. Colons introduce a list, a quote or formal statement, a restatement, or an explanation. Dont use a comma before which when it introduces an indirect question. Its no accident that a semicolon is a period atop a comma. However, the pdf can be printed if preferred for ease. Most commonly, they separate two main clauses that are closely related to each other but could stand on their own as sent. If the series is long and complex or any one element has a comma within it, separate each element of the series with a semicolon. Abraham lincoln features twelve common punctuation marks with a quick usage tip. All definitions are courtesy of merriamwebster dictionary. Commas punctuation rules the blue book of grammar and. Get a memory trick and a helpful chart to remember how to use semicolons. Semicolons can help create variety, emphasize relatedness and separate items in a list. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing by mignon. Sep 22, 20 by the end of this video, you will know the basics about using a semicolon.
When the phrases are short, a comma is preferable to the semicolon. Use a semicolon along with a conjunctive adverb and a comma to clarify the relationship between two closely related complete sentences. Dont use a comma before which when its part of a prepositional phrase, such as in which. My girlfriend eats healthy foods such as oranges, yogurt, vegetables, and rice. Another way to look at it is to consider the simplest form of the sentence, which could be pam reid, a registered nurse, attended the meeting. The three items, a book, a pen, and paper were on the table.
Mignot fogarty, better known as grammar girl provides the public with an accessible reference on punctuation. In certain uses, this is a reasonably accurate definition. Thus, you only need semicolons to separate the units of the series from each other and not from the rest of the sentence. Rule 1 to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. Using semicolons semicolons are used for making lists clearer and for controlling the flow of text from one sentence to the next. Interestingly, the dispute was resolved through the use of semicolons and cash. For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. Denise prefers to eat chicken or fish, im a vegetarian. Using semicolons in lists semicolons can be used in lists to outrank any commas which appear in list items. Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to reallife, entertaining examples. One reason you might choose to use a semicolon instead of a period is if you wanted to add variety to your sentence structure. The space needed after these punctuation marks is proportioned automatically. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for comma splices.
Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences two weeks ago we revisited the case of the lawsuit brought by a group of maine dairy truck drivers that centered on the proper use of commas. Two weeks ago, we talked about comma spliceserrors that happen when you join two main clauses with just a comma but you can make the same kind of mistake if you arent careful when joining two main clauses with conjunctive adverbs such as however, therefore, furthermore, and nevertheless. Most commonly, the semicolon is used between two independent clauses i. The same is true of periods, question marks, commas, and exclamation points. Oct 01, 2006 in the current edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation and on the website, we have stated a preference for use of the serial, or oxford, comma. A semicolon is used when an author could have ended a sentence, but chose not to. The semicolon is sometimes described as stronger than a comma but weaker than a period. Placement with periods, commas, question marks, and semicolons.
Mary promised that she would be a good girl, that she would not bite her brother, and. Originally, typewriters had monospaced fonts skinny letters and fat letters took up the same amount of space. Learn when to use colons, when to use semicolons, when to use commas, and how the three are. This useful 48page ebook addresses the most commonly asked questions. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and. Buy our book smashing grammar 2019 written by the founder of grammar monster, smashing grammar includes a glossary of grammar essentials from apostrophes to zeugma and a chapter on easily confused words from affecteffect to whetherif. Depending on the circumstances, one of two different punctuation marks can be used between the independent clauses in a compound sentence. Im not concerned about dangling prepositions or split infinitives, but my god, it gets to me when people misuse affect and effect, comma splice, or think that e.
Uses of the semicolon the semicolon is used to separate lengthy coordinate clauses where the coordinate conjunction is omitted. Comma difference and usage in all languages, not just english, writers use punctuation marks or punctuation points as they are also called to indicate things like pauses and full stops, to convey or demonstrate emotion, the ask questions or declare statements, and even to separate items in a list. Semicolons and colons quiz 2 the blue book of grammar. We are glad to hear that you find the blue book of grammar and punctuation helpful. The oxford university style guide aims to provide a guide to writing and. For instance, older, more traditional grammar books suggest the following sentence is correct. Our rule 1 of spacing with punctuation states, with a computer, use only one space following periods, commas, semicolons, colons, exclamation points, question marks, and quotation marks. Because the book is acting upon sally, we are using the word as an action so we say affect.
See more ideas about grammar and punctuation, grammar, teaching grammar. Both the colon and the semicolon are made on a keyboard. In the temporal sense, while describes something that is happening at the same time as something else. Many writers are confused about when to use a semicolon and when to use a colon. Colon and semicolons add to your blog articles readability. Sep 21, 2015 this chart from grammar girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students gives examples of the 15 most common ways to use a comma. When while is used as a conjunction, it has two meanings. I can be a little annoyingly pedantic when it comes to grammar and usage.
Semicolons separate clauses semicolons separate things. Use a comma before which when it introduces a nonrestrictive phrase. Nov 22, 2015 the semicolon in 20 a girl named amy bleuel lost her father to suicide. There are wonderfully funny drawings on each page to emphasize exactly what each sentence means so readers can grasp exactly what is wrong. If you already remember the meanings of these words, feel free to skim this. Given its function, it should have been called a semifull stop or a semiperiod. How to use semicolons grammar girl quick and dirty tips. Conjunctive adverbs include however, therefore, in addition, moreover, subsequently, consequently, instead, and additionally.
Nov 28, 2017 one of our readers wrote that her grammar issues are the colon. Semicolons join independent clauses and items in a series. When to use the semicolon english practice learn and. Make a list of the commas used and see if you can explain why they are there, according to the rules presented. My life would be less frustrating if everyone read this book. Grammar girl explains how to use them well and improve your. A colon is like a literary equals sign as opposed to mathematical one, and a semicolon is like a half full stop or half period.
In writing, we use colons and semicolons to make connections and introductions. Test your knowledge of comma usage by reading back through this article. In this example we use the coordinating conjunction and but have 1 subject and 2 verbs. Grammar books disagree on whether or not the comma is necessary after the final item in a list. Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. Dont use a comma before while when you mean during the same time. Comma, use a comma after the first independent clause when you link two independent clauses with one of the following coordinating conjunctions. One of my favorite old grammar books, titled punctuate it right, has a wonderful name for the colon. Apr 24, 2014 with educated people, i suppose, punctuation is a matter of rule. They are used to separate two clauses that are grammatically independent but have related meanings. Colons and semicolons are a great way to break up a sentence and communicate that sentence with more power than a comma. Previously published as part of grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing. The teacher corrected the papers and entered the grades in the grade book. Heres a fun, free, and awesome online activity about commas and semicolons.
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