Commas, Semicolons, and Colons

Front

What is a comma?

Back

A punctuation mark (,) used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

When should you use a comma before a conjunction?

Back

Use a comma before a conjunction (like 'and', 'but', 'or') when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is a semicolon?

Back

A punctuation mark (;) used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list.

Front

When should you use a semicolon instead of a comma?

Back

Use a semicolon to connect two independent clauses that are closely related but not joined by a conjunction.

Front

What is a colon?

Back

A punctuation mark (:) used to introduce a list, a quote, or an explanation.

Front

When should you use a colon?

Back

Use a colon before a list or an explanation that follows an independent clause.

Front

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 is optional).

Front

How do you punctuate a quote followed by a dialogue tag?

Back

Place a comma inside the quotation marks before the dialogue tag (e.g., "I love reading," she said).

Front

What is the difference between a comma and a semicolon?

Back

A comma indicates a pause or separates items, while a semicolon connects closely related independent clauses.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

A group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a verb.