Commas+and+Semi-colons


 * Commas, Semicolons, and Colons **
 * When and how to use commas:**

v Commas indicate **direct quoted speech**: //He said, “Let’s go,” and we did.// //He said we should go, and we did.// v Commas go inside **quotation marks**: //He had heard about “oleo,” but he didn’t know what it was.// v Commas set off **transitional phrases**: //On the other hand, many diets decrease stamina and strength.// //As a matter of fact, American football was derived from rugby.// //Many people, however, are allergic to cats.// v Use commas for **direct address**, **tag questions**, **mild interjections**, and **yes/no**: //I hate to say this, John, but this relationship just isn’t working out.// //You like chocolate, don’t you?// //Well, I might have time for lunch with you next week.// //Yes, you must do the homework.// v Commas come before **coordinating conjunctions** (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when they link two independent clauses: //It was raining, and I was hurrying to get home.// //She felt terrible, but she went to class anyway.// v Commas follow **introductory adverb clauses** and **introductory phrases**: //On the way home, I stopped to buy groceries.// //Because it was raining, I took a taxi home.// //To our surprise, they were brothers.// v Commas separate **items in a series**, including **coordinate adjectives**: //He bought bananas, apples, oranges, and cheese.// //She had long, dark, straight, thick hair.// v Commas set off **nonrestrictive adjective clauses** and **other parenthetical elements**: //My parents, who met each other in 1932, have been married for 50 years.// //Hikers need sturdy shoes, which may be expensive.//


 * When not to use commas:**

v Do not separate **dependent clauses** (incomplete sentences): //Incorrect: Joe and Jill, went to the store.// //Correct: Joe and Jill went to the store.// v Do not separate **two elements**: //Incorrect: I went home, and went to bed.// //Correct: I went home and went to bed.// v Do not separate **cumulative adjectives** (Try inserting the word “and” or reversing the positions of the adjectives. If the sentence is confusing, do not use a comma): //Incorrect: I bought two, more apples.// //Correct: I bought two more apples.//


 * When and how to use semicolons:**

v Semicolons connect **two independent clauses** (complete sentences) that are closely related: //The book is informative; it has helpful charts and graphs.// //My brother is going to Spain for the summer; he will be studying Spanish.// v Semicolons separate three or more **items in a series** that already have commas in them: //I like big, purple shirts; red, high-heeled shoes; and fluffy, yellow pillows.// //I live with Larry, a student; Moe, an executive; a//