Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to reallife, entertaining examples. A semicolon is a punctuation mark that looks like a combination of a period and a comma, like this. Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence. They are mostly used in poems, speeches, and academic writing. How to use the comma and semicolon correctly pen and the pad. Like commas, semicolons indicate an audible pauseslightly longer than a commas, but short of a periods full stop. One of our readers wrote that her grammar issues are the colon. Now in its tenth edition, the blue book is a masterpiece of clarity and usefulness. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english grammar, punctuation, and usage. Uses of the semicolon book summaries, test preparation. Replace it with another conjunction, but, and it works. Review says it provides an online resource for grammar and punctuation usage with lessons, quizzes, and an optional test to evaluate the understanding of the material. I love that the colon and semicolon have been brought into question for a few reasons.
Thats exactly why you cant substitute a comma for a semicolon. Semicolon definition in the cambridge english dictionary. Two independent clauses that arent closely related shouldnt be joined with a semicolon. Besides being used between independent clauses not linked by conjunctions, semicolons are used in the following situations. Jan 11, 2017 those of you who have copies of both the tenth and eleventh editions of the blue book of grammar and punctuation will notice this among vs. Yes, it is a general rule that there should not be a space before a semicolon or colon. Use a semicolon to connect two separate sentences that are related to each other, or if a series of items is being listed and includes internal punctuation within sections of. People were no longer fighting for ideas, but they were now fighting simply for money. We are glad to hear that you find the blue book of grammar and punctuation helpful. The introductory element, or subordinating clause is because the river had flooded. Often, youll find a transitional phrase following a semicolon. This timesaving video by brightstorm explains how to properly use semicolons.
Its a refresher for experts, a reference for lay people, and a lesson plan for teachers. Search for your punctuation question at grammar girl. Handbooks on english grammar are too numerous, yet few are written with keeping in mind the usual problems of students. How to punctuate a series with commas and semicolons the. Among such rare grammar books is the one written by jane straus, named as the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are closely related in thought and are not joined by and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet. Using a comma instead of a semicolon in the sentences above would result in a comma splice. The serial comma, or oxford comma, is the comma that sometimes goes between the final two items in a series. According to the bluebook, include a space before and after each period in. Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the. Grammar and punctuation cover many of the rules of language, but not all of them. It is introduced with the subordinating conjunction because. Semicolons are most often used to separate two equal independent clauses within one complete sentence semicolon example.
The blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules, realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests. Jan 01, 1997 the blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules, realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules,realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests. The comma is probably the most commonly used punctuation mark. Semicolons the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Use of a semicolon is inappropriate in any other case. Those of you who have copies of both the tenth and eleventh editions of the blue book of grammar and punctuation will notice this among vs. In this example the subordinating clause is at the end of the sentence so we do not use a comma. The blue book of grammar and punctuation by mark nichol no one writing handbook or grammar guide should suffice for careful writers, and though jane strauss the blue book of grammar and punctuation is less comprehensive than some other resources, its largeformat workbook approach provides a readerfriendly introduction to. Punctuating a series is a simple aspect of sentence construction, but theres a surprisingly fierce debate at the heart of it.
The semicolon itself has this contrasting property built in. Comma placement in compound sentences exercise from dyouville college. Top writers do not use the semicolon as much today as they did in the past. The blue book of grammar and punctuation the blue book of grammar and punctuation. In some circles, such as business communications and book publishing, the serial. Its no accident that a semicolon is a period atop a comma. How to use double quotation marks most people think of double quotation marks as being for quotations, which they are, but they also have other legitimate uses. Most newspapers and magazines drop theoxford comma in a simple series, apparently feeling its unnecessary. Video series on subordinate conjunctions and complex sentences from 321 grammar. It may be substituted for a period between two grammatically complete sentences that are closely connected in sense. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences.
Some writers seem to think that semicolons are fancy commas that create longer pauses that commas. Overview of conjunctive adverbs from grammar bytes. Oct 01, 2006 yes, it is a general rule that there should not be a space before a semicolon or colon. If you look at either side of a semicolon, youve got to have words, in other words sentences that can stand by themselves.
Use a comma after the first independent clause when you link two independent clauses with one of the following coordinating conjunctions. Semicolons and colons at the end of a quotation should be placed outside the quotation marks. In the first case, you use semicolons to separate the items to indicate the boundaries between items without ending the sentence, whil. Today, i would like to demystify the colon and semicolon just like we demystified that dirty word grammar.
The university of north carolinas guide to using semicolons, colons, and dashes. When too many commas are used in one sentence, the sentence becomes confusing. The blue book of punctuation and grammar gives this example. The school closed for the week because the river had flooded. Grammar, punctuation, style and writingediting resources. Oct 08, 2014 vi the blue book of grammar and punctuation with sentences that have multiple clauses colons 58 to attach lists to sentences spacing with tabular formatting with long quotations after the salutation in a business letter question marks 60 exclamation points 61 quotation marks 61 placement with periods, commas, question marks, and semicolons use. Single quotation marks versus double quotation marks. The blue book of grammar and punctuation, eleventh edition. Chapter 3 semicolon this article is about chapter 3 semicolon enjoy your reading. No one writing handbook or grammar guide should suffice for careful writers, and though jane strauss the blue book of grammar and punctuation is less comprehensive than some other resources, its largeformat workbook approach provides a readerfriendly introduction to the intricacies of proper prose straus was still a college student when she began her career as a. It doesnt take a lifetime to master english grammar and punctuation. It covers an easytouse guide with clear rules, since it was published in 199. This userfriendly resource includes simple explanations of grammar, punctuation, and usage.
Nov 28, 2017 one of our readers wrote that her grammar issues are the colon. Semicolons separating elements in a series this article is about semicolons separating elements in a series enjoy your reading. Buy our book smashing grammar 2019 written by the founder of grammar monster, smashing grammar includes a glossary of grammar essentials from apostrophes to zeugma and a chapter on easily confused words from affecteffect to whetherif. Correct semicolon usage writing academy scribophile. Grammar and punctuation the blue book of grammar and. Written without jargon for all of us who need simple answers to our everyday questions, this new, updated version has 50% more materialrules, exercises, tests, and answersand a new cover that is both sleek and durable. A semicolon is used in place of a period when you want to emphasize a relationship between two sentences. This handy workbook is ideal for teachers, students in middle school through college, esl students, homeschoolers, and professionals. The semicolon in this sort of construction shouldnt be linked with a conjunction. Use commas when an ly adjective is used with other adjectives. Semicolons are used in place of a period to separate two independent clauses that are joined without a conjunction. With over 200,000 copies sold, this is one of the most highly trusted english language resources available. Semicolon exercises wilmu student writing resources. A semicolon exists as a key on a standard keyboard.
The other most common use of semicolons is to separate lists when commas are present within the list itself which is part of a single independent clause. The same is true of periods, question marks, commas, and exclamation points. Semicolons punctuation rules the blue book of grammar. Valuable for anyone who takes tests or writes reports, letters, web pages, e. The mark does have its uses, however, and when you do join two independent clauses without a conjunction, you must use the semicolon or a. The semicolon emphasizes a close relationship between the two independent clauses that can stand alone as an independent sentence. A semicolon isnt the only thing that can link two independent clauses. The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition. A semicolon helps to break up the clauses and avoid confusion for the reader. A semicolon is less of a speed bump than starting a new sentence. The blue book of grammar and punctuation jane straus. In a list, are the full stop and semicolon interchangeable. The blue book of grammar and punctuation succeeds at a rare feat.
When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in theabove example, it is known as the oxford comma. As a matter of style, you should try to avoid using too many sentences consisting of two independent clauses joined by a semicolon. The blue book of grammar and punctuation will amuse you while demystifying the rules of grammar and punctuation. Grammar refers to the ways we put words together in sentences to form meaning.
A revised and updated new edition of the bestselling workbook and grammar guide. See more ideas about grammar, punctuation and grammar and punctuation. So its not like a regular colon where you provide a list afterwards. Punctuation refers to all the symbols that enhance sentences and add clarity. When should one use the comma versus the semicolon, and vice. When a sentence contains multiple commas in the first clause, it is appropriate to use a semicolon before a conjunction to join two clauses.
Introduction top writers do not use the semicolon as much today as they did in the past. When should one use the comma versus the semicolon, and. For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. Using a semicolon to merge two sentences a semicolon can be used to replace a full stop period when a smoother transition is required between sentences. There are a couple more categories of guidelines that will be helpful in your writing. The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition pages. All it takes is the blue book of grammar and punctuation.
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