Commas in English Grammar

Commas

• Used to separate items in a list, clauses, and phrases
• Types of commas:
  • Listing comma: separates items in a list (e.g., apples, bananas, oranges)
  • Separating comma: separates clauses or phrases (e.g., I went to the store, and I bought some milk)
  • Oxford comma (optional): used before the conjunction in a list (e.g., apples, bananas, and oranges)
• Rules for using commas:
  • Use a comma after an introductory phrase (e.g., After breakfast, I went to school)
  • Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives (e.g., The big, red car)

Semicolons

• Used to separate two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning
• Rules for using semicolons:
  • Use a semicolon to separate two clauses that could stand alone as separate sentences (e.g., I have a lot of work to do; I will stay up late to finish it)
  • Use a semicolon to separate clauses joined by a transitional phrase (e.g., I have a lot of work to do; therefore, I will stay up late to finish it)

Colons

• Used to introduce a list, quotation, or explanation
• Rules for using colons:
  • Use a colon to introduce a list (e.g., I have three favorite foods: pizza, sushi, and tacos)
  • Use a colon to introduce a quotation (e.g., The CEO said: "We will increase our profits this quarter")
  • Use a colon to separate hours and minutes (e.g., 3:45 PM)

Quotation Marks

• Used to set off direct quotations and to indicate that someone is speaking
• Rules for using quotation marks:
  • Use double quotation marks ("") to set off direct quotations (e.g., "I love to read," said the student)
  • Use single quotation marks ('') to set off quotations within quotations (e.g., "The teacher said, 'Please turn in your homework'")
  • Use quotation marks to indicate that someone is speaking (e.g., "What's your name?" asked the teacher)

Commas

• Separate items in a list (e.g., apples, bananas, oranges)
• Separate clauses or phrases (e.g., I went to the store, and I bought some milk)
• Optional: use before conjunction in a list (e.g., apples, bananas, and oranges)
• Use after introductory phrases (e.g., After breakfast, I went to school)
• Separate coordinate adjectives (e.g., The big, red car)

Semicolons

• Separate two independent clauses (e.g., I have a lot of work to do; I will stay up late to finish it)
• Separate clauses joined by transitional phrases (e.g., I have a lot of work to do; therefore, I will stay up late to finish it)

Colons

• Introduce lists (e.g., I have three favorite foods: pizza, sushi, and tacos)
• Introduce quotations (e.g., The CEO said: "We will increase our profits this quarter")
• Separate hours and minutes (e.g., 3:45 PM)

Quotation Marks

• Set off direct quotations (e.g., "I love to read," said the student)
• Set off quotations within quotations (e.g., "The teacher said, 'Please turn in your homework'")
• Indicate spoken dialogue (e.g., "What's your name?" asked the teacher)