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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 independent clauses with no connecting words (Purdue OWL). The word ''semi'' means half. | 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). | ||
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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 coordinating | *between closely related independent clauses not joined with a | ||
conjunction | [[coordinating conjunction]] | ||
*between independent clauses liked with a transitional expression (Hacker 251,252). | *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 | ||
*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 | ||
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==Confusion== | ==Confusion== | ||
Sometimes a sentence will not make sence without a comma. | |||
To err is human; to forgive, is divine (Hacker 245). | |||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
*OWL Online Writing Lab | *[OWL Online Writing Lab] (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/grammar/g_commacomp.html) | ||
[[*Wikipedia]] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/comma/punctuation) | |||
*[''Word Book Online'' Reference Center ](http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wb/Article?id=ar451700) | |||
==Works Cited== | ==Works Cited== | ||
*Hacker,Diana. ''A Writer's Reference.'' 5th Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003 | *Hacker,Diana. ''A Writer's Reference.'' 5th Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003 | ||
*"Using Commas." OWL.1994-2004 Purdue University Online Writing Lab. | *"Using Commas." OWL.1994-2004 Purdue University ''Online Writing Lab''. | ||
12 July.2006 <htt://owl.english.purdue.edu> | |||
*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> | |||