Page 3 Punctuation

Don't wear pink people! or Don't wear pink, people!
To make sentences clearer, use punctuation properly. Punctuation depends largely on the structure of a sentence.


The Comma ,

Punctuation can save a person's life!



Let's eat grandpa.

Let's eat, Grandpa.

Q: What's the difference between a cat and a comma?

A: One has claws at the end of its paws and one is a pause at the end of a clause.

Well done, steak!

Well done steak!



Use a comma to join parts of sentences, set off words and ideas, create a list; however, if the list is long and complicated, use a semi-colon.


  1. Join parts of sentences:

    Example:     In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday.
  1. Set off words and ideas:

    Use a comma to separate sharply contrasted elements.

    Example:     He was merely tired, not dead.
  1. Use commas to set off non-essential phrases.

    Example:     The only mystery in life is why kamikaze pilots, suicide bombers, wore helmets. - Al McGuire
  1. Use commas to set off items in dates, places, and addresses.

    Examples:

    Dates:     July 22, 2014 was the most momentous day of my life. I did the housework, made my bed, and vacuumed. In six months, I will have to start all over again!

    Places:     I visited Sydney, Australia last year.

    Addresses:     Cindy, please tell me a story.
  1. Construct a list:

    Example:     I'm not clumsy! The floor just hates me, the table and chairs are bullies, and the walls get in my way.

    I visited Sydney, Australia; Sydney, Nova Scotia; and Sidney, British Columbia last summer.



The Semicolon  ;


A run-on sentence occurs when two or more complete sentences are joined together without appropriate punctuation. Thus, a run-on is not actually a sentence!

To repair a run-on, add a semi-colon or a period. Another way of fixing it is by adding a subordinator or a coordinator.




For example,
I am on a seafood diet I see food, and I eat it. X

I am on a seafood diet. I see food, and I eat it.

I am on a seafood diet; I see food, and I eat it.


  1. Use the semicolon to separate independent sentences when they are not joined by and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet.
Avoid fruits and nuts; for you are what you eat.
  1. Use a semicolon to separate elements in a list:
The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage from Victoria, B.C.; Ottawa, Ontario; and Truro, Nova Scotia.



 Self-Assessment

Click here to practice recognizing and fixing run-on sentences. 



  Please contact your teacher if you have questions.