Gyula Tankó - Academic Skills page 1

1. USE A COMMA 2. DO NOT USE A COMMA

1.1. Use a comma before a conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) linking two independent
clauses:
Canadians watch America closely, but most Americans know little about Canada.
2.1. Do not use a comma before a conjunction that links a pair of words or phrases:
He was genial but shrewd.
I phoned the store and asked to speak to the manager.

1.2. Use a comma after an introductory clause, phrase or word: 2.2. Do not use commas to separate adjectives when they are not coordinate (i.e. when they do
not modify the same noun.)
To prepare for the exam, Jan attended an evening school after work.
His deep blue eyes stared at me.

1.3. Use a comma after a conjunctive adverb at the beginning of a sentence or clause: 2.3. Do not use a comma before and in a compound phrase with just two items.

Labor unions no longer denounce the use of robots in manufacturing. Nevertheless, some of the The man carried a blue suitcase and a red umbrella.
problems caused by automation remain unsolved.

Except After a short introductory phrase or adverb:

Today students protest individually rather than in concert.

1.4. Use a comma or a set of commas to set off non-restrictive elements: words, phrases, and
clauses that are not essential to the meaning of the sentences in which they appear:

Dorothy Straight of Washington D.C., who published her first book at the age of six, was a
remarkable child.

The surgeon, her hands moving deftly, probed the wound.

1.5. Use commas to separate three or more coordinate items in a series:

The cat awoke, stretched, and leaped from the chair.

1.6. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives modifying the same noun:

A big, old, dilapidated house stood on the corner.

1.7. Use a comma when you need one to prevent a misreading of your sentence:

On the left, walls of sheer ice rose over five thousand feet into the clouds.
Gyula Tankó - Academic Skills
3. USE A SEMICOLON
3.1. Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning:
During the summer the resort crowded with tourists; during the winter only sea gulls perch on
the benches or walk the beach.
3.2. Use a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb (a word or phrase that shows the relationship
btw. the clauses it joins) when it joins two clauses.
The Iron Duke had complete confidence in his soldiers' training and valor; furthermore, he
considered his battle plan a work of genius.
3.3. Use semicolons to emphasize the division between items in a series when one or more of
the items include commas:
There were three new delegates at the meeting: Ms. Barbara Smith from Red Bank, New
Jersey; Ms. Beth Waters from Pocmutuck, Massachusetts; and Mr. James Papson from
Freeport, Maine.
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4. USE A COLON
4.1. Use a colon to introduce a list coming at the end of a sentence:
Passengers may have four beverages: coffee, tea, milk(,) or soda.
4.2. Use a colon to introduce an example or an explanation related to something just mentioned:
The animals have a good many of our practical skills: some insects make pretty fair architects,
and beavers know quite a lot about engineering.
4.3. Use a colon to introduce a quotation (usually more than one line) in an essay:
In the opening sentence of his novel, Sabatini says of his hero: 'He was born with the gift of
laughter, and a sense that the world was mad.'