English

Linking Sentences

100

Complete Sentence  __  Complete Sentence

Semi-colon

200

Incomplete Sentence __ Complete Sentence

Comma

300

Complete Sentence __ List of items

Colon

400

Complete Sentence __ Incomplete Sentence

Comma

500

Used in place of a comma to create emphasis 

Dash 

Comma Placement

100

Snow rain and sleet

Snow, rain, and sleet

200

Green and blue

No comma needed

300

Dogs cats lizards and guinea pigs

Dogs, cats, lizards, and guinea pigs

400

I went running and I saw a big dog. 

Yes- use a comma before a conjunction like "and" to link 2 complete sentences. 

I went running, and I saw a big dog. 

500

While I was running I saw a black shiny cat.

Yes- A comma is needed when starting the sentence with an adverb like "While". Also, use a comma between two adjectives that modify the same noun.

While I was running, I saw a black, shiny cat. 

Complete or Incomplete

100

We needed to finish our work I completed all of my assignments. 

Yes, these are 2 complete sentences.

We could place a semi-colon after work.

We could also add a conjunction such as "so" after work. 

200

Moving quickly through the store

Incomplete- this sentence is missing a subject

300

After I wrote my first novel last year

Incomplete Thought- What happened next? 

400

I ran.

Yes, this is a complete sentence because it has a subject and a verb.

500

Looking forward to ACT Prep being over.

Incomplete- This sentence is missing a subject