Basic Grammar Skills

Lesson 3: Punctuation and Capitalization

Commas and Semi-colons

In this section you will learn how to use commas and semi-colons.

Commas

Commas are placed in sentences where there are two independent clauses joined by a co-ordinating conjunction such as and, or, but, for, or, nor. Let's look at the following sentences.

1. Would you like to go to the movie first or would you like to eat?

2. We can go to the union to sit and relax but we need to clean up the house first.

3. Megan and Christy like to be sneaky and to write in their journals.

4. Penny and Sadey like to play with each other and they like to have their own separate times.

5. I enjoy reading and writing mystery stories.

Which sentences need commas? Be careful. Some of the sentences don't require commas.

If you said that Numbers 1, 2, and 4 require commas, you are right. In sentence number 3 and 5, there are not two complete sentences. Therefore, a comma is not required.

Semi-colons

Semi-colons are used in between two independent clauses when there is not a co-ordinating conjunction.

Example: Penny was frightened; she entered her apartment.

They are also used in between two independent clauses with a subordinate conjunction. One rule to remember is to never use a comma before the word because in a sentence.

Let's look at these examples.

1. We can go to the mall; however, the dishes need to be done.

2. Will you come with me to the hospital because I'm not feeling very good?

They are also used in a series if there are other internal punctuation marks such as commas.

Let's look at this example.

We order printer paper; two packages of good, quality paper, and two packages of cheaper paper; and pens; two packages of blue pens, two packages of red pens, and two packages of black pens.

Because there are commas separating the items purchased, then, the semi-colons are placed within the sentence to separate the two purchases.

The following two books are excellent resource books, but they are not required for the course.

The book, "Essentials of English Grammar" by L. Sue Baugh has a good section on punctuation. The pages are 34-49.

Also, "Scholastic Guides Checking Your Grammar" by Marvin Terban is another excellent reference on punctuation. The pages are 84-97.

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