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What's the difference between a semicolon and a comma?: Difference between revisions
What's the difference between a semicolon and a comma? (view source)
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According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word "comma" comes from the Greek komma, which means "something cut off" or "a short clause" (Wikipedia). | According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word "comma" comes from the Greek komma, which means "something cut off" or "a short clause" (Wikipedia). | ||
The semicolon is used when you link two | The semicolon is used when you link two independent clauses with no connecting words (Purdue OWL). The word ''semi'' means half. | ||
For example: I am going home; I intend to stay there(Purdue OWL). | For example: I am going home; I intend to stay there (Purdue OWL). | ||
==Rules== | ==Rules== | ||
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*Use a semicolon between items in a series containing internal punctuation | *Use a semicolon between items in a series containing internal punctuation | ||
*between closely related independent clauses not joined with a | *between closely related independent clauses not joined with a coordinating conjunction | ||
*between independent clauses liked with a transitional expression (Hacker 251,252). | |||
*between independent clauses liked with a | |||
===Commas=== | ===Commas=== | ||
*Use a comma between | *Use a comma between coordinate adjectives not joined by ''and'' | ||
*before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses | *before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses | ||
*after an introductory word group | *after an introductory word group | ||
*between all items in a series | *between all items in a series | ||
*use commas to set off nonrestrictive elements | *use commas to set off nonrestrictive elements | ||
*use a comma to set off transitional and | *use a comma to set off transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements | ||
*use commas to set off nouns of direct address, the words ''yes'' and ''no'', interrogative tags, and mild interjections | *use commas to set off nouns of direct address, the words ''yes'' and ''no'', interrogative tags, and mild interjections | ||
*use commas with expressions such as ''he said'' to set off direct quotations | *use commas with expressions such as ''he said'' to set off direct quotations | ||
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==Semicolon== | ==Semicolon== | ||
==Items in a Series== | |||
The semicolon is always used instead of the comma after items in a series when these items are long or complicated (Word Book). | The semicolon is always used instead of the comma after items in a series when these items are long or complicated (Word Book). | ||
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Classic science fiction sagas are ''Star Trek'', with Mr. Spock and his large pointed ears; Battlestar Galactica, with its Cylon Raiders; and ''Star Wars'', with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader (Hacker 252). | Classic science fiction sagas are ''Star Trek'', with Mr. Spock and his large pointed ears; Battlestar Galactica, with its Cylon Raiders; and ''Star Wars'', with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader (Hacker 252). | ||
==Closely Related Independent Clauses== | |||
A semicolon must be used whenever a coordinating conjunction has been omitted between independent clauses. To use merely a comma creates a kind of run-on sentence known as a comma splice (Hacker 251). | A semicolon must be used whenever a coordinating conjunction has been omitted between independent clauses. To use merely a comma creates a kind of run-on sentence known as a comma splice (Hacker 251). | ||
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In 1800, a traveler needed six weeks to get from New York City to Chicago; in 1860, the trip railroad took two days (Hacker 251). | In 1800, a traveler needed six weeks to get from New York City to Chicago; in 1860, the trip railroad took two days (Hacker 251). | ||
==Transitional Expressions== | |||
When a transitional expression appears in the middle or at the end of the second independent clause, the semicolon ''goes between the clause'' (Hacker 252). | When a transitional expression appears in the middle or at the end of the second independent clause, the semicolon ''goes between the clause'' (Hacker 252). | ||
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==Commas== | ==Commas== | ||
==Coordinate Adjectives== | |||
When two or more adjectives each modify a noun separately, they are coordinate (Hacker 238). | When two or more adjectives each modify a noun separately, they are coordinate (Hacker 238). | ||
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Roberto is a ''warm, gentle, affectionate'' father (Hacker 238). | Roberto is a ''warm, gentle, affectionate'' father (Hacker 238). | ||
==Coordinating Conjunction== | |||
When a coordinating conjunction connects two or more independent clauses- word groups that could stand alone as seperate sentences- a comma must precede it (Hacker 235). | When a coordinating conjunction connects two or more independent clauses- word groups that could stand alone as seperate sentences- a comma must precede it (Hacker 235). | ||
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Nearly everyone has heard of love at first sight, but I fell in love at first dance (Hacker 236). | Nearly everyone has heard of love at first sight, but I fell in love at first dance (Hacker 236). | ||
==Introductory Word Groups== | |||
The most common introductory word groups are clauses and phrases functioning as adverbs (Hacker 236). | The most common introductory word groups are clauses and phrases functioning as adverbs (Hacker 236). | ||
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When Keishawnna was ready to play kickball, her sister held the ball and started to cry. | When Keishawnna was ready to play kickball, her sister held the ball and started to cry. | ||
==Items in a Series== | |||
Unless you are writing for a publication that follows another convention, seperate all items in a series- including the last two- with commas (Hacker 237). | Unless you are writing for a publication that follows another convention, seperate all items in a series- including the last two- with commas (Hacker 237). | ||
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Bubbles of air, leaves, ferns, bits of wood, and insects are often found trapped in amber (Hacker 237). | Bubbles of air, leaves, ferns, bits of wood, and insects are often found trapped in amber (Hacker 237). | ||
==Nonrestrictive Elements== | |||
Because it contains nonessential or parenthetical information, a nonrestrictive element is set off with commas (Hacker 239). | Because it contains nonessential or parenthetical information, a nonrestrictive element is set off with commas (Hacker 239). | ||
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For camp the children needed sturdy shoes, ''which were expensive'' (Hacker 239). | For camp the children needed sturdy shoes, ''which were expensive'' (Hacker 239). | ||
==Transitional and Parenthetical Expressions, Absolute Phrases,and Constrasted Elements== | |||
Transitional expressions serve as bridges between sentences or parts of sentences (Hacker 242). | Transitional expressions serve as bridges between sentences or parts of sentences (Hacker 242). | ||
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Sharp constrasts beginning with words such as'' not'' and ''unlike'' are set off with commas (Hacker 243). | Sharp constrasts beginning with words such as'' not'' and ''unlike'' are set off with commas (Hacker 243). | ||
==Nouns of Direct Adress, Words'' Yes'' and ''No'', Interrogative Tags, and Mild Interjections== | |||
Forgive us, Mr. Williams, for burning the Apple pie. | Forgive us, Mr. Williams, for burning the Apple pie. | ||
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Well, cases like these are difficult to decide (Hacker 244). | Well, cases like these are difficult to decide (Hacker 244). | ||
==Direct Quotations== | |||
"Convictions are more dangerous foes of the truth than lies," wrote philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (Hacker 244). | "Convictions are more dangerous foes of the truth than lies," wrote philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (Hacker 244). | ||
==Dates, Addresses, Titles, and Numbers== | |||
In dates, the year is set off from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas (Hacker 244). | In dates, the year is set off from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas (Hacker 244). | ||
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*500,000 | *500,000 | ||
==Confusion== | |||
Sometimes a sentence will not make sence without a comma. | Sometimes a sentence will not make sence without a comma. | ||