What's the difference between a semicolon and a comma?: Difference between revisions

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The semicolon is used to seperate major sentence elements of
The semicolon is used to seperate major sentence elements of
equal grammatical rank (Hacker250). The word ''semi'' means half.
equal grammatical rank (Hacker 250). The word ''semi'' means half.


The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments (OWL at Purdue University). The comma was invented to help readers.
The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments (OWL at Purdue University). The comma was invented to help readers.
Without it, sentence parts can collide into one another unexpectedly, causing misreadings.(Hacker235)     
Without it, sentence parts can collide into one another unexpectedly, causing misreadings(Hacker 235).    


===The Rules===
==The Rules==


To avoid common misuses of the semicolon.
===To avoid common misuses of the semicolon===
Do not use a semicolon in the following situtations.
 
Do not use a semicolon in the following situtations:
*between a subordinate clause and the rest of the sentence
*between a subordinate clause and the rest of the sentence
*between an apposite and the word it refers to
*between an apposite and the word it refers to
*to introduce a list
*to introduce a list
*between independent clauses joined by ''and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet''  (Hacker253)
*between independent clauses joined by ''and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet''  (Hacker 253).
 
===To avoid common misuses of the comma===


To avoid common misuses of the comma.
Do not use a comma in the following situations:
Do not use a comma in the following situations.
*after a coodinating conjunction
*after a coodinating conjunction
*after ''such'' as or ''like''
*after ''such'' as or ''like''
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*before a parenthesis
*before a parenthesis
*to set off an indirect (reported) quotation
*to set off an indirect (reported) quotation
*with a question maek or an exclamation point (Hacker249)
*with a question maek or an exclamation point (Hacker 249).
 
===To aviod unnecessary commas===


To aviod unnecessary commas
Do not use a comma in the following situations:
*do not use a comma between compound elements that are not independent clauses
* a comma between compound elements that are not independent clauses
*do not use a comma to seperate a verb from its subject or object
* use a comma to seperate a verb from its subject or object
*do not use a comma before the first or after the last item in a series
* use a comma before the first or after the last item in a series
*do not use a comma between cumulative adjectives, between an adjective and  a noun, or between an adverb and an adjective
* use a comma between cumulative adjectives, between an adjective and  a noun, or between an adverb and an adjective
*do not use a comma to set off a concluding adverb clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence (Hacker246-248)
* use a comma to set off a concluding adverb clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence (Hacker 246-248).


==The Usage==
==The Usage==
===semicolons===
 
===Semicolons===
 
*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 coordinating
*between closely related independent clauses not joined with a coordinating
conjunction
conjunction
*between independent clauses liked with a transitional expression (Hacker251,252)
*between independent clauses liked with a transitional expression (Hacker 251,252).
 
===commas===
===commas===
*Use a comma between coordinate adjectives not joined by ''and''
*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:
"For camp the children needed sturdy shoes, ''which were expensive.''"
"For camp the children needed sturdy shoes, ''which were expensive.''"
 
*use a comma to set off transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements
*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
*use commas with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers
*use commas with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers
*use commas to pervent confusion (Hacker 235-245)
*use commas to pervent confusion (Hacker 235-245).


==Links==
==Links==
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