Punctuation

COMMA ( , )
Use commas to separate items in a series of three or more.
The required subjects in this program are math physics and English.
Drive two blocks north of Main Street turn left go past two traffic signals and turn right.
Tom went to the movies Jan and Yasmin went to play pool and I went to bed.

Use comma(s) to separate non-essential or repeated information from the rest of

the sentence.
Writing a good letter isnt difficult if youre careful.
Writing a letter that is clear and concise is a challenge.
One of Canadas best known novelists Alice Munro spends the summer in Clinton
Ontario and the winter in Comox B.C.
The Harry Potter books first published between 1997 and 2007 continue to be popular
today.

Put a comma between independent clauses when they are joined by these
transition words:
for
and nor but or
yet
so
I knew I was going to be late so I went back to sleep.
We both loved the book but Kim hated the movie.

Put a comma after a word or group of words that comes before an independent
clause.
Biff you arent paying attention.
No matter how hard I try I will never be able to forget you.
Exhausted and cranky from staying up all night I staggered into class.
If thats their idea of a large pizza wed better order two.
Until she got her promotion she was quite friendly.

Punctuation
COLON ( : )
After an independent clause, the colon introduces one or more examples or a list.
The information after the colon answers the question what? or who?
We have two choices to stay or to go.
Try to imagine yourself like me young, gorgeous, brilliant, and rich.
One person is responsible for your happiness in life you.
Business and industry face a new challenge the global marketplace.
The colon is used after a complete sentence to introduce a quotation.
Mao Tse-tung thought highly of education We need large numbers of educators and
teachers for the people, and also peoples scientists, engineers, technicians, doctors,
journalists, writers, men of letters, artists and rank-and-file cultural workers.

SEMICOLON ( ; )
Can be used to join two sentences (independent clauses) that are closely
connected in meaning or when there is a cause-and-effect relationship between
them.
Im too tired I cant stay awake any longer.
Theres a good movie on tonight its an action movie.
To make a COMPLEX LIST easier to read and understand, put semicolons
between the items instead of commas.
We need to pack several things: matches to start a fire an axe or hatchet to cut wood
pots and pans to cook with plates and forks to eat with and food.

Punctuation
COMMA ( , )

TEACHERS COPY

Use commas to separate items in a series of three or more. (Last one optional)
The required subjects in this program are math, physics, and English.
Drive two blocks north of Main Street, turn left, go past two traffic signals, and turn right.
Tom went to the movies, Jan and Yasmin went to play pool, and I went to bed.

Use comma(s) to separate non-essential or repeated information from the rest of

the sentence.
Writing a good letter isnt difficult, if youre careful. (NON-ESSENTIAL)
Writing a letter that is clear and concise is a challenge. (ESSENTIAL)
One of Canadas best known novelists, Alice Munro spends the summer in Clinton,
Ontario and the winter in Comox, B.C. (REPETITIVE INFORMATION)
The Harry Potter books, first published between 1997 and 2007, continue to be popular
today. (NON-ESSENTIAL)

Put a comma between independent clauses when they are joined by these
transition words:
for
and nor but or
yet
so
I knew I was going to be late, so I went back to sleep.
We both loved the book, but Kim hated the movie.

Put a comma after a word or group of words that comes before an independent
clause.
Biff, you arent paying attention.
No matter how hard I try, I will never be able to forget you.
Exhausted and cranky from staying up all night, I staggered into class.
If thats their idea of a large pizza, wed better order two.
Until she got her promotion, she was quite friendly.

Punctuation
COLON ( : )

TEACHERS

After an independent clause, the colon introduces one or more examples or a list.
The information after the colon answers the question what? or who?
We have two choices: to stay or to go.
Try to imagine yourself like me: young, gorgeous, brilliant, and rich.
One person is responsible for your happiness in life: you.
Business and industry face a new challenge: the global marketplace.
The colon is used after a complete sentence to introduce a quotation.
Mao Tse-tung thought highly of education: We need large numbers of educators and
teachers for the people, and also peoples scientists, engineers, technicians, doctors,
journalists, writers, men of letters, artists and rank-and-file cultural workers.

SEMICOLON ( ; )
Can be used to join two sentences (independent clauses) that are closely
connected in meaning or when there is a cause-and-effect relationship between
them.
Im too tired; I cant stay awake any longer.
Theres a good movie on tonight; its an action movie.
To make a COMPLEX LIST easier to read and understand, put semicolons
between the items instead of commas.
We need to pack several things: matches to start a fire; an axe or hatchet to cut wood;
pots and pans to cook with; plates and forks to eat with; and food.

Punctuation
PRACTICE
Comma:
1)
2)
3)
4)

Does anyone remember John Paul George and Ringo?

Goldfish and gerbils make the best pets.
My mothers favourite singer is Gordon Lightfoot the former Elvis impersonator.
The winner of the 1994 Yorkton Film Festival Jury Award was Janis Lundmans

documentary Lawn and Order.

5) He and I are good friends yet we often disagree.
6) Mona tried and tried to pass her drivers test and her persistence finally paid off.
7) My wife and I would like to buy a house but we dont have enough money for a
downpayment.
8) In the end quality is what counts.
Colon:
1)
2)
3)
4)

She has one goal that she is determined to achieve the world record.
Two issues remained to be settled wages and benefits.
They tried to make ends meet by making their own candles, soap, and butter.
I have a large garden, but it grows only two things weeds and worms.

Semicolon:
1) He sat down on a park bench he was very tired.
2) Beijing is my favourite city someday Im going to move there.
3) My cats get along fine with the dog its each other that they hate.

PRACTICE

TEACHER

Comma:
1)
2)
3)
4)

Does anyone remember John, Paul, George, and Ringo?

Goldfish and gerbils make the best pets. (CORRECT)
My mothers favourite singer is Gordon Lightfoot, the former Elvis impersonator.
The winner of the 1994 Yorkton Film Festival Jury Award was Janis Lundmans
documentary, Lawn and Order.

Punctuation
5) He and I are good friends, yet we often disagree.
6) Mona tried and tried to pass her drivers test, and her persistence finally paid off.
7) My wife and I would like to buy a house, but we dont have enough money for a
downpayment.
8) In the end, quality is what counts.
Colon:
1) She has one goal that she is determined to achieve: the world record.
2) Two issues remained to be settled: wages and benefits.
3) They tried to make ends meet by making their own candles, soap, and butter.
(CORRECT)
4) I have a large garden, but it grows only two things: weeds and worms.
Semicolon:
1) He sat down on a park bench; he was very tired.
2) Beijing is my favourite city; someday Im going to move there.
3) My cats get along fine with the dog; its each other that they hate.