When to use Comma, Colon and Semicolon punctuation marks in English?

Comma, Semicolon, and Colon

The comma, semicolon, and colon are often misused because they all can indicate a pause in a series.

The Comma

The comma is mainly used ■ To separate items in a series or list ■ To separate phrases and clauses ■ To separate question tags from the rest of the sentence ■ To separate certain words like however, moreover, in addition to, in short, in fact, of course, firstly, secondly, etc. ■ To separate spoken part of the text from the unspoken part ■ when words or phrases are used in direct address ■ After the words likeYes, No, Oh, Ah, etc

We need commas to separate items, Words, city from state, date in a list. Example… • I have two pens, one register and a file cover. • He live in Australia, America. • He died June 24th, 1998. Commas

The comma is used to show a separation of ideas or elements within the structure of a sentence. Additionally, it is used in numbers, dates, and letter writing after the salutation and closing.

• Direct address: Thanks for all your help, John.
• Separation of two complete sentences: We went to the movies, and then we went out to lunch.
• Separating lists or elements within sentences: Suzi wanted the black, green, and blue dress.

Whether to add a final comma before the conjunction in a list is a matter of debate. This final comma, known as an Oxford or serial comma, is useful in a complex series of elements or phrases but is often considered unnecessary in a simple series such as in the example above. It usually comes down to a style choice by the writer.

The comma is mainly used

1. To separate items in a series or list

Example: I have purchased two kilos of mangoes, five kilos of tomatoes and milk.

2. To separate phrases and clauses

Example: If it doesn’t rain tomorrow, we will go for a picnic.

He searched for the book, but couldn’t find it anywhere.

3. To separate question tags from the rest of the sentence

Example: You get my point, don’t you?

4. To separate certain words like however, moreover, in addition to, in short, in fact, of course, firstly, secondly, etc.

Example: It was raining heavily. However, he was determined to cross the river.

5. to separate spoken part of the text from the unspoken part

Example: “This is really interesting,” she exclaimed.

6. when words or phrases are used in direct address

Example: “Sir, I’m terribly sorry to be late.”

7. After the words like Yes, No, Oh, Ah, etc

Example: Yes, I agree with you.

1. To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more.  Example:  My property is to be split among my husband, daughter, son, and nephew. (Omitting the comma after son would indicate that the son and nephew would have to split one-third of the property.) 2. Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the word and can be inserted between them.  Example:  He is a strong, healthy man. 3. Use commas before or surrounding the name or title of a person directly addressed.  Examples:  Will you, Aisha, do that assignment for me?  Yes, Doctor, I will.

13. 4. Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year and after the year.  Example:  She talked to her husband on December 5, 2003, in Mill Valley, California. (If any part of the date is omitted, leave out the comma) They talked in December 2003, in Mill Valley. 5. Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the flow of the sentence.  Example:  I am, as you have probably noticed, very nervous about this. 6. If something or someone is sufficiently identified, the description following it is considered nonessential and should be surrounded by commas.  Example:  Freddy, who has a limp, was the only person available with required qualification .

14. 7. When starting a sentence with a weak clause, use a comma after it. Conversely, do not use a comma when the sentence starts with a strong clause followed by a weak clause.  Example:  If you are not sure about this, let me know now. Let me know now if you are not sure about this. 8. Use a comma to separate two strong clauses joined by a conjunction—and, or, but, for, nor. You can omit the comma if the clauses are both short.  Examples:  I have painted the entire house, but he is still working on sanding the doors.  I paint and he writes. 9. Use the comma to separate two sentences if it helps to avoid confusion.  Example:  I chose the colors red and green, and blue was his first choice.

·  My little brother likes candy, so I bought him a lollipop.

·  The dog chased the cat, but the cat ran up a tree.

·  Sarah wants to go to the theater, and Sandy wants to go to the zoo.

·  She likes flowers, so he bought her a bouquet.

15. 10. Use commas to introduce direct quotations shorter than three lines.  Example:  He actually said, ‘‘I do not care.’’ 11. Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.  Example:  I can go, can’t I? 12. Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.  Example:  That is my money, not yours

16. 13. Use a comma when beginning sentences with introductory words such as well, now, or yes.  Examples:  Yes, I do need that report. Well, I never thought I’d live to see the day. 14. Use commas surrounding words such as therefore and however when they are used as interrupters.  Examples:  I would, therefore, like a response.  I would be happy, however, to volunteer for the Red Cross.

·  Use a comma between items in a series or list. In a sentence, the last two items usually do not need a comma between them as they are separated by "and". However, if one or both of the last two items are long, a comma may be useful. •coffee, tea, sugar, milk, eggs, butter, salt •My favourite sports are football, rugby, swimming, boxing and golf. •Hunsa was wearing blue jeans, black shoes, his brand new white shirt, and a brown and green cap. 2. Use a comma between three or more adjectives or adverbs. •I like the old, brown, wooden table. •He bought an old, red, open-top Volkswagen. •He ran quickly, quietly and effortlessly. 3. For two adjectives, use a comma where you could use "and". •It was a short, simple film. (It was a short and simple film.) •I have a big black dog. (I have a big and black dog.)

·  9. 4. Use a comma for numbers over 999. (In English, commas separate thousands and periods separate decimals. Note that some languages use the opposite system.) •1,000 (one thousand) •1,569 •$73,050.75 •2,000,000 •3,400,500 •10.5 (ten point five or ten and a half) - note the use of the period, not comma 5. Use a comma for addresses, some dates, and titles following a name. •911 Avenue Mansion, Petchburi Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand •Los Angeles, California •November 4, 1948 (but 4 November 1948) •Fred Ling, Professor of English

·  6. Use a comma before or after direct speech. Do not use a comma for reported speech. •He said, "I love you." •"I love you," he said. •He told her that he loved her. 7. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to join two independent clauses. If the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, a comma is optional. •He didn't want to go, but he went anyway. •I want to work as an interpreter, so I am studying Russian at university. •She is kind so she helps people. 8. Use commas for parenthetical elements. A "parenthetical element" is any part of a sentence that can be removed without changing the real meaning of the sentence. •John Geton, who is chairman of the company, is quite old. •Andrew, my wife's brother, cannot come. •Andrew (my wife's brother) cannot come. •The objective, to find peace in both countries, is hard to reach.

·   9. Use a comma after an introductory element. A comma is optional for short, simple introductory elements. •Rushing to catch the flight, he forgot to take his phone. •As the year came to an end, he realised the days were getting shorter. •By evening we were getting worried. •After a hefty meal cooked by his host's wife, he went to sleep. •After a snack he went to sleep. 10. Sentence adverbs (words like however, unfortunately, surprisingly that modify a whole sentence) often require one or two commas, depending on their position in the sentence. •However, Anthony did arrive. •Anthony, however, did arrive. •We were, unfortunately, too late. •He had, not surprisingly, lost his temper.

·  11. An adverbial clause often needs a comma when it comes at the beginning of a sentence (but not at the end of a sentence). •If I win the lottery, I will buy a castle. •I will buy a castle if I win the lottery. 12. Do not use a comma to separate two complete sentences. In this case, use a full stop (period) or semi-colon. •Ram wants to go out. Anthony wants to stay home. Ram wants to go out, Anthony wants to stay home.

·  Tara, Ram and Anthony enjoyed their holiday, which they spent in Rio Claro, Trinidad, from December 17, 2010 to January 6, 2011. Unfortunately, although the weather was good, if rather hot, it rained a lot during their last week. Ravi, Tara's uncle, said, "When I was young we had very little rain, but now we have a lot of rain." Ravi, a wealthy, good-looking man, lives in the north of the island. I have spent most of the day putting in a comma and the rest of the day taking it out. Oscar Wilde

The semicolon (;)

is used to connect independent clauses. It shows a closer relationship between the clauses than a period would show.

• John was hurt; he knew she only said it to upset him.

·         The semicolon is stronger than a comma but weaker than a full stop. It is used between two independent clauses that are linked. The main function of the semicolon is to create a sequence of ideas made up of several clauses – usually connecting main clauses- as a single sentence.

·         Example: He checked through the heap of bank statements; he then re-checked the list of suppliers to whom he owed money; beyond all doubt, he was bankrupt!

• 1. Use a semicolon in place of a full stop to separate two sentences. where the conjunction has been left out.  Examples:  Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.  I have paid my dues; therefore, I expect all the privileges listed in the contract. 2. Use the semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas.  Example:  This conference has people who have come from Lahore, Pakistan; Bombay, India; and Jadah, Saudi Arabia. RULES

23. 3. Use the semicolon between two sentences that are joined by a conjunction but already have one or more commas within the first sentence.  Examples:  When I finish here, I will be glad to help you; and that is a promise I will keep.  If she can, she will attempt that feat; and if her husband is able, he will be there to see her. ·  emi-colon

• ·  1. We sometimes use a semi-colon instead of a full stop or period. This is to separate sentences that are grammatically independent but that have closely connected meaning. •Josef likes coffee; Mary likes tea. •Tara is a good speaker; she speaks very clearly. •You did your best; now let's hope you pass the exam. •Ram wants to go out; Anthony wants to stay home. Note that in the above examples it is not correct to use a comma instead of the semi-colon. 2. Use a semi-colon as a kind of "super comma". When we have a list of items, we usually separate the items with commas. If the list is complicated, we may prefer to use semi-colons in some cases. •ABC Investments has offices in five locations: Kensington, London; Brighton & Hove; and Oxford, Cambridge and Manchester. •Rental cars must be returned on time; with a full tank of petrol; in undamaged condition; and at the same location as they were collected from.

A colon (:)

has three main uses. The first is after a word introducing a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a series.

• He was planning to study four subjects: politics, philosophy, sociology, and economics.

The second is between independent clauses when the second explains the first, similar to a semicolon:

• I didn't have time to get changed: I was already late.

The third use of a colon is for emphasis:

• There was one thing she loved more than any other: her dog.

A colon also has non-grammatical uses in time, ratio, business correspondence and references.

Semicolon ■ A mark of punctuation ( ; ) used to connect independent clauses and show a closer relationship than a period does. Use a semicolon when you want to form a bond between two statements, typically when they are related to or contrast with one another.

The Colon

The colon is used to indicate that there is a list

Example: The diet includes four main types of food: cereals, leafy vegetables, fruits, and fish.

It is also used to introduce a piece of information

Example: He put his hand in his jacket pocket for his wallet: it wasn’t there.

1. Use the colon to introduce a list of items when introductory words such as namely, for example, or that is do not appear.  Examples:  I want the items namely, butter, sugar, and flour.  I want the following items: butter, sugar, and flour. 2. A colon should not precede a list unless it follows a complete sentence.  Examples:  I want an assistant who can (1) input data, (2) write reports, and (3) complete tax forms.  I want an assistant who can do the following: (a) input data, (b) write reports, and (c) complete tax forms. RULES

19. 3. Use a colon when the second clause explains the first clause and no conjunction is being used to connect the clauses. If only one sentence follows the colon, do not capitalize the first word of the new sentence. If two or more sentences follow the colon, capitalize the first word of each sentence.  Examples:  I enjoy reading: novels by Kurt are my favorite.  Garlic is used in Italian cooking: It greatly enhances the flavor of pasta dishes: It also enhances the flavor of eggplant. Do not use a colon to separate a preposition from its object.

A preposition is a word that is used before a noun to show its connection to another word in the sentence. Here are a few common prepositions:

 

    with

    by

    for

    from

    in

    tocooking

 

Incorrect: He was responsible for: cooking dinner, washing dishes and taking out the trash.

Do not use a colon after a verb in a sentence.

Incorrect: Her favorite activities in the summer are: biking, swimming and playing baseball.

20. 4. Use the colon to introduce a direct quotation that is more than three lines in length. In this situation, leave a blank line above and below the quoted material. Single space the long quotation. Indent one-half inch on both the left & right margins. Quotation marks are not used.  Example: The author wrote in the first chapter: Georgia went back to her room and stared at the intricate patterns of burned moth wings in the clear glass of the overhead light. She felt herself as pitiable as the burnt moth. She could not manage the stress and anxiety she was experiencing this moment.The world was seeming odd to her.