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. Originally, typewriters had monospaced fonts skinny letters and fat letters took up the same amount of space. Get a memory trick and a helpful chart to remember how to use semicolons. However, the pdf can be printed if preferred for ease. In certain uses, this is a reasonably accurate definition. 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. Semicolons are sometimes used instead of full stops. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Although the colon and the semicolon look similar, they each have very different uses in the english language. Denise prefers to eat chicken or fish, im a vegetarian. See more ideas about grammar and punctuation, grammar, teaching grammar. Use a semicolon along with a conjunctive adverb and a comma to clarify the relationship between two closely related complete sentences.
Commas can be tricky, but they dont have to trip you up. Do use a comma before while when you mean whereas or although. Semicolons can help create variety, emphasize relatedness and separate items in a list. 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. Apr 24, 2014 with educated people, i suppose, punctuation is a matter of rule. Given its function, it should have been called a semifull stop or a semiperiod. Both the colon and the semicolon are made on a keyboard. Subject the person or thing that is being discussed or described. I love that the colon and semicolon have been brought into question for a few reasons. Abraham lincoln features twelve common punctuation marks with a quick usage tip. Uses of the semicolon the semicolon is used to separate lengthy coordinate clauses where the coordinate conjunction is omitted.
Colons introduce a list, a quote or formal statement, a restatement, or an explanation. The use of these punctuation marks often confuses students. The main function of a colon is to introduce what follows it. The same is true of periods, question marks, commas, and exclamation points. The semicolon looks like a period on top of a comma. For instance, older, more traditional grammar books suggest the following sentence is correct.
Heres a fun, free, and awesome online activity about commas and semicolons. The semicolon is one of the least common punctuation marks, but it is a useful one. Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing by. She tattooed a semicolon on her body with a simple concept. 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. A great kids book that can make learning grammar rules fun wow i never thought i would put those words together in a sentence. Comma, use a comma after the first independent clause when you link two independent clauses with one of the following coordinating conjunctions. Mignot fogarty, better known as grammar girl provides the public with an accessible reference on punctuation. When should one use the comma versus the semicolon, and vice. Grammar books disagree on whether or not the comma is necessary after the final item in a list. 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.
How to use semicolons grammar girl quick and dirty tips. Jan 01, 2008 now you can add the first printed book from mignon fogarty a. When the phrases are short, a comma is preferable to the semicolon. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and.
Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing book. Colon versus semicolon colons and semicolons have different functions. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. In this lesson, we will take a look at the colon vs semicolon.
They are used to separate two clauses that are grammatically independent but have related meanings. Its no accident that a semicolon is a period atop a comma. This chart from grammar girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students gives examples of the 15 most common ways to use a comma. Today, i would like to demystify the colon and semicolon just like we demystified that dirty word grammar. All definitions are courtesy of merriamwebster dictionary. Grammar girl explains how to use them well and improve your. My girlfriend eats healthy foods such as oranges, yogurt, vegetables, and rice. One reason you might choose to use a semicolon instead of a period is if you wanted to add variety to your sentence structure. When you use colons and semicolons, you come off as a grammar genius.
In french, a semicolon pointvirgule, literally dot comma is a separation between two full sentences, used where either a colon or a comma would not be appropriate. Colons and semicolons are a great way to break up a sentence and communicate that sentence with more power than a comma. To the delight of word nerds everywhere, grammar girl s quick and dirty tips for better writing came out yesterday. Colon and semicolons add to your blog articles readability. Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. Semicolons separate clauses semicolons separate things. Rule 1 to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more.
Mary promised that she would be a good girl, that she would not bite her brother, and. Using semicolons in lists semicolons can be used in lists to outrank any commas which appear in list items. The semicolon is sometimes described as stronger than a comma but weaker than a period. Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to real. 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. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar. My life would be less frustrating if everyone read this book. Conjunctive adverbs include however, therefore, in addition, moreover, subsequently, consequently, instead, and additionally. Make a list of the commas used and see if you can explain why they are there, according to the rules presented. Semicolons the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Remember, a main clause, also known as an independent clause, is just something.
Yes, it is a general rule that there should not be a space before a semicolon or colon. For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. There are wonderfully funny drawings on each page to emphasize exactly what each sentence means so readers can grasp exactly what is wrong. Grammar project commas, semicolons, colons youtube. Placement with periods, commas, question marks, and semicolons. Dont use a comma before while when you mean during the same time. Test your knowledge of comma usage by reading back through this article. I can be a little annoyingly pedantic when it comes to grammar and usage. But i must say i have a great respect for the semicolon. Learn when to use colons, when to use semicolons, when to use commas, and how the three are. One of my favorite old grammar books, titled punctuate it right, has a wonderful name for the colon. Most commonly, the semicolon is used between two independent clauses i.
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. We are glad to hear that you find the blue book of grammar and punctuation helpful. In the temporal sense, while describes something that is happening at the same time as something else. By the end of this video, you will know the basics about using a semicolon. This useful 48page ebook addresses the most commonly asked questions. 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. Depending on the circumstances, one of two different punctuation marks can be used between the independent clauses in a compound sentence. Because the book is acting upon sally, we are using the word as an action so we say affect. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for comma splices. 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. Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to reallife, entertaining examples.
A semicolon is used when an author could have ended a sentence, but chose not to. Many writers are confused about when to use a semicolon and when to use a 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. Interestingly, the dispute was resolved through the use of semicolons and cash. 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. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing by mignon.
The space needed after these punctuation marks is proportioned automatically. If you already remember the meanings of these words, feel free to skim this. Semicolons and colons quiz 2 the blue book of grammar. Please note that there are a few other ways of using semicolons i. When while is used as a conjunction, it has two meanings. 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. Commas punctuation rules the blue book of grammar and. No commas with which, that and who grammar monster. Dont use a comma before which when it introduces an indirect question. Like commas, semicolons indicate an audible pauseslightly longer than a commas, but short of a periods full stop. Semicolons join independent clauses and items in a series. In this example we use the coordinating conjunction and but have 1 subject and 2 verbs.
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. Use a comma before which when it introduces a nonrestrictive phrase. Thus, you only need semicolons to separate the units of the series from each other and not from the rest of the sentence. April 2011 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. In writing, we use colons and semicolons to make connections and introductions. The three items, a book, a pen, and paper were on the table.