REVIEWING COMMA AND SEMICOLON PUNCTUATION
In this module, you will review the following:
 Using the comma correctly in all aspects of sentence
punctuation
 Using the semicolon correctly in all aspects of sentence
punctuation.
Introduction
This module presents a short review of all aspects of comma and semicolon sentence
punctuation, based on the following modules:
"Punctuating Simple Complex Sentences"
"Punctuating the Co-Ordinating Conjunction in Simple Compound Sentences"
"Punctuating a Series with Commas"
"Punctuating Interrupters with Commas"
"Punctuating the Conjunctive Adverb in Simple Compound Sentences"
"Punctuating Long Complex Sentences"
"Punctuating Restrictive and Unco-ordinate Modifiers."
Each review is headed with a module reference so that you can find more information if
you need to.
"Punctuating Simple Complex Sentences"
To punctuate a simple complex sentence, place a comma after a dependent clause when
the dependent clause starts a sentence.
Example:
Before she left, she held a short meeting.
"Punctuating the Co-Ordinating Conjunction in Simple Compound
Sentences"
To punctuate a simple compound sentence containing a co-ordinating conjunction, place a
comma before the conjunction.
Example:
The hikers carried their sleeping bags, and their horses carried the tents.
If either independent clause contains two or more commas or if the clauses are very long,
change the comma in front of the co-ordinating conjunction into a semicolon.
Example:
The guest speaker, Mr. J. Atkins, of International Manufacturing, outlined the many
advantages of automation; yet many of his listeners remained unconvinced.
"Punctuating the Conjunctive Adverb in Simple Compound Sentences"
To punctuate a simple compound sentence containing a conjunctive adverb, follow the
rules below.
When a conjunctive adverb starts a sentence, place a comma after the adverb.
Example:
Nevertheless, we decided to order another shipment of spare parts.
When a conjunctive adverb joins two independent clauses, the conjunctive adverb takes a
semicolon in front of it and a comma after.
Example:
I did my homework last night; after that, I watched some TV.
Do not use a comma with the conjunctive adverb "then."
Example:
We had checked the house thoroughly; then we locked the house and left.
"Punctuating Long Complex Sentences"
Place a comma after a dependent clause that precedes an independent clause.
Example:
After we learned that the road was closed, we took an alternate route.
"Punctuating a Series with Commas"
To punctuate items in a series, follow the rules below.
In a series of only two (duo) items, use a conjunction to join the items except for
adjectives, which may take a comma instead of a conjunction.
Example:
Neither the blue nor green curtains matched the furniture.
Example:
We thought of her as a kind, elderly matron.
In a multiseries, separate each item with a comma and place both a comma and a
conjunction in front of the last item. Do not place any punctuation after the last item.
Example:
Everybody helped load the tents, the meat coolers, and the lawn chairs into the van.
In a date series, separate each item with a comma. Do not use conjunctions within the
series. Place a comma after the last item.
Example:
The trial was set for Thursday, November 24, 1993, in the city of Lethbridge.
In an address series, separate each item with a comma. Do not use conjunctions within
the series. Place a comma after the last item. Do not place a comma between the
state/province and the ZIP code/postal code.
Example:
Our address will be Lot 6, RV Campgrounds, Saint Paul, Alberta T0E 2A2, during the
summer.
"Punctuating Interrupters with Commas"
To punctuate interrupters, set the interrupter off with two commas. If the interrupter
appears at the beginning or end of a sentence, set the interrupter off with one comma.
Example:
The host, ostensibly, invited all those on this list.
"Punctuating Restrictive and Unco-ordinate Modifiers."
To punctuate restrictive/nonrestrictive and co-ordinate/unco-ordinate modifiers, follow the
rules below.
When nonrestrictive modifiers start a sentence, place a comma after them. When these
modifiers appear inside a sentence, place a comma before and after. When they end a
sentence, place a comma before them.
Nonrestrictive modifiers take comma punctuation.
Example nonrestrictive:
My mother, a great cook, has won many prizes at country fairs.
Restrictive modifiers take no comma punctuation.
Example restrictive:
Students who make valuable suggestions should receive rewards.
Co-ordinate modifiers are punctuated as series.
Example:
The competitor was neither optimistic, hopeful, nor enthusiastic about winning.
Unco-ordinate modifiers take no comma punctuation.
Example:
The stew simmered in a spicy Indian curry sauce.
Caution
The questions associated with this review are not restricted to one concept or rule per
sentence. For example, punctuate the following sentence.
Sentence:
"The old woman destitute and frightened was admitted on Thursday June 16 1998 and
she was released on Monday evening June 20."
Answer
The old woman, destitute and frightened, was admitted on Thursday, June 16, 1998; and
she was released on Monday evening June 20.
Exercises
Select the correctly punctuated sentence. "None of the above" may apply. The answers
appear after the last question.
1.
A. Amat, bring buns, relish, and pickles to the barbecue.
B. Amat bring buns, relish and pickles to the barbecue.
C. Amat, bring buns relish, and pickles to the barbecue.
D. None of the above.
2.
A. Joan, Barb, and Hiromori supported the B. C. Lions their favourite team.
B. Joan, Barb and Hiromori supported the B. C. Lions, their favourite team.
C. Joan, Barb, and Hiromori supported the B. C. Lions, their favourite team.
D. None of the above.
3.
A. Uncle Mukul who always sat at the window watched the beautiful, silver airplane fly
past.
B. Uncle Mukul, who always sat at the window, watched the beautiful silver airplane fly
past.
C. Uncle Mukul, who always sat at the window, watched the beautiful, silver airplane fly
past.
D. None of the above.
4.
A. That conscientious, industrious student is one of the three, best undergrad students I
have ever taught.
B. That conscientious industrious student is one of the three best undergrad students I
have ever taught.
C. That conscientious industrious student is one of the three best, undergrad students I
have ever taught.
D. None of the above.
5.
A. He wanted to see, the file, the case study, and the summary, it seems.
B. He wanted to see the file, the case study and the summary it seems.
C. He wanted to see the file, the case study, and the summary, it seems.
D. None of the above.
6.
A. The chapter, concerning viruses, is well written; as a matter of fact, it's very easy to
understand.
B. The chapter concerning viruses is well written; as a matter of fact it's very easy to
understand.
C. The chapter concerning viruses is well written; as a matter of fact, it's very easy to
understand.
D. None of the above.
7.
A. The three committee members, Mr. Black, Mr. Thuan, and Mr. Woo, are liberals; thus,
the decision should be in our favour.
B. The three committee members Mr. Black, Mr. Thuan, and Mr. Woo are liberals; thus,
the decision should be in our favour.
C. The three committee members, Mr. Black, Mr. Thuan, and Mr. Woo, are liberals; thus
the decision should be in our favour.
D. None of the above.
8.
A. His father was a physician; his mother was a lawyer.
B. His father was a physician, his mother was a lawyer.
C. His father was a physician, his mother, was a lawyer.
D. None of the above.
9.
A. The car it appeared needed repairs, but he didn't have the money to spare.
B. The car, it appeared, needed repairs; but he didn't have the money to spare.
C. The car, it appeared, needed repairs, but he didn't have the money to spare.
D. None of the above.
10.
A. Maury, send the documents to our head office in Winnipeg, Manitoba; and make sure
they get there by Friday October 23.
B. Maury send the documents to our head office in Winnipeg, Manitoba and make sure
they get there by Friday, October 23.
C. Maury, send the documents to our head office in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and make sure
they get there by Friday October 23.
D. None of the above.
11.
A. Because we had gone, before he arrived, we left him a note.
B. Because we had gone before he arrived we left him a note.
C. Because we had gone, before he arrived we left him a note.
D. None of the above.
12.
A. A date of Monday, February 10, in 1999, was set for the shareholders' meeting.
B. A date of Monday, February 10, in 1999 was set for the shareholders' meeting.
C. A date of Monday, February 10 in 1999, was set for the shareholders' meeting.
D. None of the above.
13.
A. After we heard the shouting, we felt relieved, because they were safe.
B. After we heard the shouting, we felt relieved because they were safe.
C. After we heard the shouting we felt relieved, because they were safe.
D. None of the above.
14.
A. During the storm, the power was cut off, but was soon restored.
B. During the storm, the power was cut off; but was soon restored.
C. During the storm, the power was cut off but was soon restored.
D. None of the above.
15.
A. We picked up all our litter, for we didn't want to leave a mess.
B. We picked up all our litter; for we didn't want to leave a mess.
C. We picked up all our litter for we didn't want to leave a mess.
D. None of the above.
Answers
1, A. 2, C. 3, B. 4, D. 5, C. 6, C. 7, A. 8, A. 9, B. 10, D. 11, D. 12, B. 13, B. 14, C. 15, A.