Punctuation Rules
Name the three punctuation marks we studied in this unit.
Comma, semicolon, and colon.
How are colons used concerning time?
Put a colon in between the hour and the minute.
Where should the comma(s) go?
"Mike Bob and I enjoyed watching the rodeo last Sunday."
"Mike, Bob, and I enjoyed watching the rodeo last Sunday."
Where should the semicolon(s) go?
"Ivory comes from animals' tusks a lot of ivory comes from walruses."
"Ivory comes from animals' tusks; a lot of ivory comes from walruses."
Where should the colon go?
"The game starts at 3 30 pm."
"The game starts at 3:30 pm."
True or False: I can place a colon right after a verb (action word).
False! Never place a colon right after a verb.
True or False: You can use commas to set off elements that interrupt the sentence (like nonessential clauses/phrases).
True!
Where should the comma(s) go?
"Because my ride was late I missed first period."
"Because my ride was late, I missed first period."
Where should the semicolon(s) go?
"I brought lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots, but bread, milk, and cheese were donated."
"I brought lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots; but bread, milk, and cheese were donated."
Where should the colon go?
"Every room comes equipped with the following items a bed, a mattress, a dresser, and a lamp."
"Every room comes equipped with the following items: a bed, a mattress, a dresser, and a lamp."
Name one situation where it is appropriate to use a colon.
True or False: You can use a semicolon between independent clauses if the independent clauses are closely related in meaning and are not joined by a FANBOYS.
True!
Where should the comma(s) go?
"The contest will not take place until June but we already have four entries."
"The contest will not take place until June, but we already have four entries."
Where should the semicolon(s) go?
"Maya looked outside and sighed rain was still falling."
"Maya looked outside and sighed; rain was still falling."
Where should the colon go?
"Dear Mr. Warnick Is there a time we can meet this week?"
"Dear Mr. Warnick: Is there a time we can meet this week?"
When should you use a comma in a complex sentence? (One I.C., one D.C.)
After the dependent clauses ONLY if the dependent clause is at the beginning of the sentence.
What two punctuation marks can you use to separate items in a list?
Commas and semicolons (if the items in the list already contain commas).
Where should the comma(s) go?
"The Empire State Building which is featured in that movie is in New York City."
"The Empire State Building, which is featured in that movie, is in New York City."
Where should the semicolon(s) AND commas go?
"My favorite places I have traveled are Paris France Berlin Germany and Honolulu Hawaii."
"My favorite places I have traveled are Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; and Honolulu, Hawaii."
Where should the colon go?
One of the most famous scary stories is "Frankenstein A Modern Prometheus".
One of the most famous scary stories is "Frankenstein: A Modern Prometheus".
Mrs. Stringam said the basic rule of a colon is this: It means "_______ ________ _______".
Name all 7 FANBOYS words (used to join independent clauses along with a comma).
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
Where should the comma(s) go?
"Washington D.C. our nation's capital is an interesting city."
"Washington D.C., our nation's capital, is an interesting city."
Where should the semicolon(s) go?
"I do not want to go sledding instead, I would like to go ice skating!"
"I do not want to go sledding; instead, I would like to go ice skating!"
Where should the colon AND commas go?
"While we were there we lived in three different cities Tokyo Yokohama and Asaka."
"While we were there, we lived in three different cities: Tokyo, Yokohama, and Asaka."