Commas
Separates independent clauses.
What is a comma.
Joins related independent clauses and its use in a series.
What is a semicolon
Introduces related information that can come in the form of a list, explanation, or a quotation.
What is a colon?
Can break a sentence's train of thought while providing explanatory information for it.
What is a parentheses?
Indicates abrupt break in thought, or insertion of additional , explanatory information.
What is a dash?
Sasha ate pizza, wings, and fries for dinner.
Example of
What is commas in a series?
I have a big test tomorrow I can't go out tonight.
What is I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
The role of the colon is simple, to introduce.
What is the role of the colon is simple: to introduce.
Marie, 8 years-old, is a girl who goes to school with my brother.
What is Marie(8 years-old) is a girl who goes to school with my brother.
I don't have the heart to refuse a friend's request for help, do you?
What is I don't have the heart to refuse a friend's request for help-do you?
Establishes nouns without specifying them.
What is a non-essential element?
Richard likes cake, Susan likes salad.
What is Richard likes cake; Susan likes salad.
There are three countries beginning with Z; Zaire, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
What is there are three countries beginning with Z: Zaire, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
Did you leave your bag-red, black handles in the classroom?
What is did you leave your bag(red, black handles) in the classroom?
Machu Picchu: an ancient city known for its famous ruins, is located in Peru.
What is Machu Picchu- an ancient city known for its fanout ruins- is located in Peru.
Renames or restates a modified noun, adding extra information to it.
What is an appositive?
I like watching Korean dramas: the K2 is my favorite drama.
I like Korean dramas; the K2 is my favorite drama.
Sometimes preceded by an independent clause
What is always preceded by an independent clause.
My family's getting a new dog:his name will be Levon)
What is my family's getting a new dog(his name will be Levon).
Cindy, the neighbor you met last year, is going to babysit
What is Cindy- the neighbor you met last year- is going to babysit
My new house has long, purple walls.
Example of:
What is a comma that separates an adjective?
Julie ate five brownies, Eileen ate seven, George ate zero.
What is Julie ate five brownies; Eileen ate seven; George ate zero.
There can more than 1 colon in a sentence.
What is there can't be more than 1 colon in a sentence.
Can't be inserted between other sentences.
What is can be inserted between other sentences.
He is afraid of two things: spiders and prom.
What is he is afraid of two things-spiders and prom.