Semicolons join ideas that are related and equal in grammatical structure. Colons can also be used to introduce a quotation of someone else’s words. Typically, there will be some sort of introduction to those words. Commas are required if the quotation occurs at the beginning or middle of the sentence, but they are not required if the quotation ends the sentence.

I’ll explain the comma rules that are important to know for the SAT. Getting your punctuation right every single time can be tough. Grammarly can help you avoid making mistakes and express yourself clearly and confidently, no matter what you’re writing.

Colons (:)

Now we have to determine the correct comma placement. Answer choices B and C are wrong because you can’t place a comma after a preposition. Answer choice D is correct; the comma separates the independent clause from the explanatory phrase. Keep in mind that commas often separate independent clauses from dependent clauses or descriptive phrases.

In this instance, think of colons as saying, “Here’s what I mean.” What’s about to come after the colon is meant to further illustrate whatever was mentioned before the colon. A semicolon is better suited here than a period because Grover’s cooking ability is intimately related to his love of cooking. Semicolons are often used to link related ideas in a sentence.

Practice Creating Sentences with Semicolons, Colons, and Dashes

The second sentence is correct because the semicolon is separating two independent clauses. When you have a conjunctive adverb linking two independent clauses, you should use a semicolon between the clauses. Common conjunctive adverbs include words like moreover, nevertheless, however, otherwise, therefore, then, finally, likewise, consequently, and many others. You’ll notice that there is also a coordinating conjunction (but) to connect link the two independent clauses. This is necessary after the comma to avoid a comma splice.

• The portion of the sentence after “army” describes the other type of army.
• Only now, two dots means we’re left with only part of a complete thought, while a single dot (the period) tells us the thought is ended.
• The rule that appositives must be surrounded by commas is one of the most often tested comma rules on the SAT.
• The rules about commas are straightforward and not difficult to learn.
• But don’t let this punctuation mark get you down either.
• Many times indirect questions begin with the words “I wonder.” They do not begin with question words.

Only answer choice D removes both unnecessary commas. Many people incorrectly assume there should be a comma; however, in this sentence, “writer” is describing Malcolm Gladwell, and you can’t place a comma between an adjective and a noun. If you’re unsure if a phrase is an appositive, eliminate the phrase. If the meaning of the sentence is unchanged, the descriptive phrase is an appositive that should be surrounded by commas. If you remove the clause “who sleep well,” the meaning of the sentence would be substantially changed.

The Rule for All SAT Punctuation Questions: When in Doubt, Leave It Out

They are really just declarative statements about questions, so they should take a period at the end. But sometimes we are so used to putting periods at the ends of our sentence, that in the heat of writing an essay, we accidentally place periods at the ends of questions as well. And sometimes, the construction of a sentence can make it unclear whether the sentence is a question or not, so we may just default to using the period. This section (and the video) explain when to use a question mark in the more sophisticated and formal writing you do in college. Basically, a semicolon (whether followed by a conjunctive adverb or not) serves to coordinate two main clauses. In some cases the distinction between a separator and a terminator is strong, such as early versions of Pascal, where a final semicolon yields a syntax error.

They can also separate two clauses and introduce a valuable quote. But if you want to strengthen the relationship between two clauses, a semicolon can stand in for the period. Semicolons are required when you create a list or series within a sentence, and each part of the series uses a comma. Commas are not required when a quotation ends with a question mark or an exclamation point, even if the quotation occurs at the beginning or middle of a sentence. Babe Ruth, a famous baseball player, was skilled at hitting home runs. In this example, the nonrestrictive clause is the statement, “a famous baseball player,” because this is “extra” information that is not necessary to make the sentence a complete sentence.

Connecting Transitional Words and Phrases Within a Sentence

These elements help clarify my writing and allow me to vary my writing to make it more interesting. Using commas with dates and addresses correctly is a small way to develop credibilityDescribes a person who is trusted and able to be believed; reliable. With your readers, including professors, colleagues, and bosses. Additionally, readers rely on the commas to identify the separate elements of an address, which is especially helpful when it is an unfamiliar address. Nonessential words, phrases, or clauses must be set off with commas.

That means they’re to be used when you’re dealing with two complete thoughts that could stand alone as a sentence. They separate words and groups of words within sentences, allowing each word to stand out as its own idea. Although commas are common forms of punctuation, there are many rules for how they should be used in writing. A comma is used between a dependent clause (incomplete sentence) and an independent clause (complete sentence).

Colon

Similar to nonrestrictive clauses, commas separate appositives from the rest of the sentence. A semicolon is used to separate items in a list when the items themselves have commas. On your own sheet of paper, correct the following sentences by adding semicolons. By using semicolons in this sentence, the reader can easily distinguish between the three sets of colors. In Lua,[51] semicolons or commas can be used to separate table elements. Dashes aren’t very common on the SAT, but they do come up.

Commas must be used to separate each item in the list. In dates, commas are needed to separate the day of the week from the month and day, and they are needed to separate the month and day from the year. A comma does not need to be used to separate the month and day. A comma is used to separate two or more adjectives that modify the same noun. If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the “Comment” box at the bottom of this page.

For example, this summary could say “Semicolons are useful; they show that clauses are related in meaning.” The conjunctive adverb however signals a connection between two independent clauses, and commas should not be used to connect independent clauses if there is no coordinating conjunction. A semicolon is used to link two independent Using Commas, Semicolons, and Colons Within Sentences clauses with close meaning or a multi-layered series. A colon can be used in a business address, to link two independent clauses where one comments on the other, to begin a series, and to introduce a full-sentence quote. Sometimes, two independent clauses are joined with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, but, etc).

• Not sure when to use a dash or whether a colon or semicolon is the way to go?
• For example, this summary could say “Semicolons are useful; they show that clauses are related in meaning.”
• The introductory phrase, from “Living” to “ethic,” modifies the Harvey Girls.
• They can also separate two clauses and introduce a valuable quote.
• Now I’ll go over specific rules to help you determine when to use punctuation.