Semicolons
What do semicolons do?
Semicolons can join two independent clauses together. Semicolons can separate items in a complex list (list already with commas).
Where are colons used in a sentence?
Colons can add single words, lists, or phrases to the end of already complete sentences.
Where are commas used in a sentence?
Commas go between 1) cities and states in an address, 2)day of the week and the month, and 3) in lists of three or more items.
Commas also set off different types of phrases and clauses. Examples include tag questions, prepositional phrases, introductory phrases, non-restrictive elements, and dependent clauses.
What is an appositive?
A nonessential element or nonrestrictive element is information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence and is set apart with commas. Appositives specifically rename the thing it describes. When you take out a nonrestrictive element, the meaning of the sentence stays the same.
What are modifiers?
Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe, identify, or change the noun or pronoun they're modifying.
Correct the sentence:
Don't be afraid of death, be afraid of an unlived life.
Use a semicolon instead of a comma since you are connecting two independent clauses.
Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life.
Correct the sentence:
Dad always buys three supplies in bulk, paper, pencils, and pens.
You already have a complete sentence, so adding a list requires a colon.
Dad always buys three supplies in bulk: paper, pencils, and pens.
Correct the sentence:
Her birthday is May 1st 1970 and she was born in Moss Tennessee.
Use commas between day/month in dates and city/state.
Her birthday is May 1st, 1970, and she was born in Moss, Tennessee.
Correct the sentence:
Her dog the one that runs away went to obedience school.
Set off the appositive phrase with commas. It is a nonessential element that does not change the meaning of the sentence when removed.
Her dog, the one that runs away, went to obedience school.
Correct the sentence:
We looked everywhere really, but the laptop charger wasn't in the missing classroom.
Move the modifiers so they describe/identify/change the intended noun. Ask yourself what you are "really" doing, and what is "missing".
We really looked everywhere, but the missing laptop charger wasn't in the classroom.
Correct the sentence:
She won the race however she injured her foot.
You can use conjunctive adverbs to connect two independent clauses. Use a comma after the conjunctive adverb.
She won the race; however, she injured her foot.
Correct the sentence:
I've learned one great life lesson; do not procrastinate.
You already have a complete sentence, so you can add the phrase with a colon.
I've learned one great life lesson: do not procrastinate.
Correct the sentence:
When you get home from school call me okay?
In this case, a comma is used after the dependent clause, and a comma is used to set off the tag question at the end of the sentence.
When you get home from school, call me, okay?
Correct the sentence:
My cousin who raises cattle on his farm is moving here.
Set off the appositive with commas...if you would take out this element, the meaning of the sentence does not change.
My cousin, who raises cattle on his farm, is moving here.
Correct the sentence:
On my way home, I found a gold man's watch.
Move the modifier so the sentence makes sense and describes the intended noun. Is the man gold or the watch gold?
On my way home, I found a man's gold watch.
Correct the sentence:
She was late to school therefore she received a detention slip.
Conjunctive adverbs follow a semi-colon and are set off with a comma.
She was late to school; therefore, she received a detention slip.
Correct the sentence:
I went to the store and bought: eggs, bacon, and bread.
In this case, you do not have a complete thought, so a colon is not used.
I went to the store and bought eggs, bacon, and bread.
Correct the sentence:
I went to the grocery store country music is underrated.
These two clauses are unrelated, so a period is the best choice; however, a semicolon can be used to separate the two independent thoughts.
I went to the grocery store. Country music is underrated.
I went to the grocery store; country music is underrated.
The surgeon a leading expert will perform Dad's operation.
The surgeon, a leading expert, will perform Dad's operation.
Correct the sentence:
After digging for hours, the treasure was dug up by the pirates.
Did the treasure do the digging? No, the pirates did the digging. The modifier "after digging for hours" needs to precede the noun it is modifying.
After digging for hours, the pirates dug up the treasure.
Correct the sentence:
The Council is comprised of ten members: three from Sydney, Australia, four from Auckland, New Zealand, two from Suva, Fiji, and one from Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Use semi-colons to separate items in a complex list (meaning the list already has commas).
The Council is comprised of ten members: three from Sydney, Australia; four from Auckland, New Zealand; two from Suva, Fiji; and one from Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Correct the sentence:
I went to the grocery store; and then I walked home.
I went to the grocery store, and then I walked home.
Correct the sentence:
In 2008 the United States elected Barack Obama as the president.
This example contains an introductory phrase. You need to set off introductory phrases with a comma.
In 2008, the United States elected Barack Obama as the president.
US Congressman John Lewis served for over 30 years.
The sentence is correct as you need to specify which congressman.
Identify all the modifiers in the following sentence:
The new green racecar rolled sideways down the track before crashing headfirst into the concrete barrier.
Which words or groups of words describe/identify/change the noun - racecar?
The new green racecar rolled sideways down the track before crashing headfirst into the concrete barrier.