: / ; / none
The string quartet consists of: a cello, a viola, and two violins.
The string quartet consists of a cello, a viola, and two violins.
The cellist, Henry Warner, gets up very early to practice each morning 400 A.M.!
The cellist, Henry Warner, gets up very early to practice each morning: 4:00 A.M.!
we use colon to emphasize how early they practice
The quartet will play pieces by: Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms.
The quartet will play pieces by Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms.
remove :
On July 21 1969, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.
On July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.
Commas are used between the day of the month and the year
The plane arrived in Carson City Nevada at 6:00.
The plane arrived in Carson City, Nevada, at 6:00.
Commas are used between the names of cities and states or cities and countries. and add comma when in the middle of the sentence
The two violinists practice together every other day they are determined to make no mistakes at the concert.
The two violinists practice together every other day; they are determined to make no mistakes at the concert.
At the last concert, right in the middle of a song, a string broke on Helen’s viola: but as she replaced it, the audience waited patiently.
At the last concert, right in the middle of a song, a string broke on Helen’s viola; but as she replaced it, the audience waited patiently.
semicolon separates two independent clauses
Although the Beethoven piece is rather difficult, Helen had played it before, so when the quartet first practiced it, she helped teach the others.
Although the Beethoven piece is rather difficult, Helen had played it before; so when the quartet first practiced it, she helped teach the others.
separates two independent clauses
Then she turned off the light and went to sleep.
Then, she turned off the light and went to sleep.
introductory words: Then
Would you like juice milk pop or lemonade?
Would you like juice, milk, pop, or lemonade?
a series
At each performance, Helen wears a black dress, high heels, and a lucky brooch, she wishes her fellow musicians a good show, and she calls her mother afterward.
At each performance, Helen wears a black dress, high heels, and a lucky brooch; she wishes her fellow musicians a good show; and she calls her mother afterward.
separates independent clauses
These venues will host their next three concerts, Royal Music Hall, Lakeside Auditorium, and the Bentley Music Center.
These venues will host their next three concerts: Royal Music Hall, Lakeside Auditorium, and the Bentley Music Center.
The quartet decided to include one piece as a surprise for the audience, Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.”
The quartet decided to include one piece as a surprise for the audience: Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.”
to introduce
Can I help you with your bags Mrs.Rourke?
Can I help you with your bags, Mrs.Rourke?
directly address a person by name
Grandpa I went fishing today.
Grandpa, I went fishing today
directly address a person
Cellos are bigger than violins, they also produce a deeper sound.
Cellos are bigger than violins; they also produce a deeper sound.
Henry reminded Helen; “Make sure you have new strings on your viola.”
Henry reminded Helen: “Make sure you have new strings on your viola.”
to emphasize
The quartet strode onstage, the audience erupted with applause.
The quartet strode onstage; the audience erupted with applause.
connect two independent clauses
The day was sunny and Emily was eager to leave for the camping trip.
The day was sunny, and Emily was eager to leave for the camping trip.
compound sentence.
We can go to the concert at the park or we can go for a bike ride.
We can go to the concert at the park, or we can go for a bike ride.
compound sentence
The concert at the Royal Music Hall is scheduled to begin at 730.
The concert at the Royal Music Hall is scheduled to begin at 7:30.
The first violist to join the quartet was Janice Stringer, Molly Hills joined second.
The first violist to join the quartet was Janice Stringer; Molly Hills joined second.
Mingled with the applause that followed, one word rang out from different parts of the hall “Bravo!”
Mingled with the applause that followed, one word rang out from different parts of the hall: “Bravo!”
My family and I decided to go to Montpelier Vermont to visit my grandpa during Spring Break.
My family and I decided to go to Montpelier, Vermont, to visit my grandpa during Spring Break.
He used to use tin pails to collect the sap but today he has rubber hoses that do the job.
He used to use tin pails to collect the sap, but today he has rubber hoses that do the job.
compound sentence