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The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments (Purdue OWL). | |||
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 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). | |||
The semicolon is used to seperate | ==Rules== | ||
===Semicolons=== | |||
*Use a semicolon between items in a series containing internal punctuation | |||
*between closely related independent clauses not joined with a coordinating conjunction | |||
*between independent clauses liked with a transitional expression (Hacker 251,252). | |||
===Commas=== | |||
*Use a comma between coordinate adjectives not joined by ''and'' | |||
*before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses | |||
*after an introductory word group | |||
*between all items in a series | |||
*to set off nonrestrictive elements | |||
*to set off transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements | |||
*to set off nouns of direct address, the words ''yes'' and ''no'', interrogative tags, and mild interjections | |||
*with expressions such as ''he said'' to set off direct quotations | |||
*with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers | |||
*to pervent confusion (Hacker 235-245). | |||
==Usuage 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). | |||
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). | |||
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). | |||
Most singers gain fame through hard work and dedication; Evita, however, found other means (Hacker 252). | |||
== Usage Commas== | |||
===Coordinate Adjectives=== | |||
When two or more adjectives each modify a noun separately, they are coordinate (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). | |||
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). | |||
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). | |||
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). | |||
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). | |||
Ja'Niyah did not understand her homework; morever, she was unfamiliar with algebra. | |||
Parenthetical expressions that are distinctly parenthetical should be set off with commas (Hacker 242). | |||
Evolution, so far as we know, doesn't work this way (Hacker 243). | |||
Absolute phrases should be set off with commas(Hacker 243). | |||
Our grant having been approved, we were at last able to begin the archaeological dig (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. | |||
Yes,the doctor will probably see you now. | |||
The film was faithful to the book, wasn't it (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). | |||
===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). | |||
On July 19, 2006, our LitWiki is due. | |||
Alexis Williams was born in Macon, Georgia, in 2003. | |||
If a title follows a name, separate it from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas (Hacker 245). | |||
Sandra Barnes, M.D.,performed the surgery (Hacker 245). | |||
In numbers more than four digits long, use commas to separate the numbers into groups of three, starting from the right (Hacker 245). | |||
*3,500 | |||
*100,000 | |||
*500,000 | |||
===Confusion=== | |||
Sometimes a sentence will not make sence without a comma. | |||
To | To err is human; to forgive, is divine (Hacker 245). | ||
==Links== | |||
*Commas vs. Semicolons in Compound Sentences [http://OWL.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/grammar/g_commacomp.html] | |||
*Using Commas [http://OWL.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_comma.html] | |||
*Wiki encyclopedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma_%28punctuation%29] | |||
*Punctuation [http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wb/Article?id=ar451700] | |||
== | ==Works Cited== | ||
*Hacker,Diana. ''A Writer's Reference.'' 5th Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003 | |||
*"Commas vs. Semicolons in Compound Sentences." OWL.1995-2005 Purdue University ''Online Writing Lab''.7/13/06 | |||
<http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/grammar/g_commacomp.html> | |||
*"Using Commas". OWL.1994-2005 Purdue University ''Online Writing Lab''.7/13/06.<http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_comma.html> | |||
*Cooley, Marianne. "Punctuation." ''Word Book Online'' Reference Center. 2006. Word Book Inc.12 July, 2006 <http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wb/Article?id=ar451700> | |||
*"Comma(Puctuation)".Wikipedia.15 July,2006.WikiMedia.''Free Online Encyclopedia''.7/13/06.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma_%28punctuation%29> |
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