Commas, Semicolons and more Commas...

Front

What is the purpose of a comma in a sentence?

Back

Commas are used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, separate items in a list, or set off non-essential information.

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When should a semicolon be used?

Back

A semicolon is used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list.

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What is an example of a correct use of a comma in a date?

Back

"Lady Ni'ajah Simmons was the queen of England from July 10, 1553, to July 19, 1553."

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How do you correctly punctuate a sentence with an introductory phrase?

Back

Use a comma after the introductory phrase, e.g., "Having cut the roses, she decided to bring them to her friend in the hospital."

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What is the difference between a comma and a semicolon?

Back

A comma indicates a smaller pause and is used within sentences, while a semicolon connects two independent clauses that are closely related.

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Provide an example of a sentence that correctly uses a semicolon.

Back

"Riding a bicycle is excellent exercise; I ride mine every day."

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What is a non-essential clause?

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A non-essential clause adds information to a sentence but can be removed without changing the sentence's meaning, often set off by commas.

Front

How should you punctuate a city and state in a sentence?

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Use a comma after the city and before the state, e.g., "Pasadena, California, is a ski resort."

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What is the rule for using commas in a list?

Back

Use commas to separate items in a list, and place a comma before the conjunction in a series (Oxford comma) if needed for clarity.

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When is it appropriate to use a comma before 'and'?

Back

Use a comma before 'and' when connecting two independent clauses, e.g., "I wanted to go for a walk, and she wanted to stay home."