commas
100: Add commas → I bought apples oranges bananas and mangoes.
I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and mangoes.
Fix this sentence → I have a big test tomorrow I can’t go out tonight.
I have a big test tomorrow; I can’t go out tonight.
Where does the comma go? → After the game we went home.
After the game, we went home.
Use semicolons correctly in this list → We visited Belmopan Belize San Ignacio Belize and Chetumal Mexico.
We visited Belmopan, Belize; San Ignacio, Belize; and Chetumal, Mexico.
Explain the difference → Students, who study daily, succeed vs. Students who study daily succeed
Students, who study daily, succeed. (non‑essential clause: all students succeed)
Students who study daily succeed. (essential clause: only those who study succeed)
Why is this wrong? → I was tired; but I kept working.
I was tired; but I kept working. → The semicolon shouldn’t precede a coordinating conjunction like but.
Fix this sentence → On May 26 2026 we met in Belmopan Belize.
On May 26, 2026, we met in Belmopan, Belize.
Join these sentences with a semicolon → The rain was heavy. The streets were flooded.
Join these sentences with a semicolon → The rain was heavy; the streets were flooded.
Why is this wrong? → Let’s eat Grandma! (Explain how commas change meaning.)
Let’s eat, Grandma! vs. Let’s eat Grandma! → Commas save lives by clarifying meaning.
Explain why semicolons are stronger than commas but weaker than periods. Give an example.
Semicolons are stronger than commas (they separate independent clauses) but weaker than periods (they don’t end the thought).