Basic Punctuation Functions , ; : Mr. Tibbens

Commas Uses: 1) After introductory words/phrases/clauses - After this class, you will understand punctuation. 2) Around interruptions - Your English teacher, Mr. Tibbens, will teach you well. 3) Between items in a list of three or more - Mr. Tibbens loves reading, writing, and thinking. 4) Between multiple modifiers - Your muddled, confused punctuation will soon improve. 5) Before FANBOYS to combine related sentences - Punctuation is important, but it’s only one part of writing.

Commas 1) After introductory words/phrases/clauses - Today, we will learn about commas. - After this class, you will understand punctuation. - Next class, we’ll do more punctuation. - Before we move on, be sure to ask questions. - While punctuation can be boring, it is important.

Commas 2) Around interruptions - Your English teacher, Mr. Tibbens, will teach you well. - Do you, Suzy, understand punctuation? - The student, the one with the long hair, is focused. - English, which happens to be my favorite class, is tough. - Juan loves his English class, except for the grammar work.

Commas 3) Between items in a list of three or more - Mr. Tibbens loves reading, writing, and thinking. - Peanut butter and jelly, turkey, and ham and cheese are my favorite sandwiches. - The teacher seems to like commas, semicolons, and colons. - You can listen, take notes, or sleep during this lesson. - The Spartans, Bulldogs, Falcons, and Rams are high school teams in Ashburn.

Commas 4) Between multiple modifiers - Your muddled, confused punctuation will soon improve. - Your intelligent, handsome, humble English teacher is great. - That tall, smart woman punctuates well. - Ali writes thoughtful, persuasive, captivating essays. - Loud, unfocused, unmotivated students tend to struggle.

Commas 5) Before FANBOYS to combine related sentences - Punctuation is important, but it’s only one part of writing. - Shantel will go to college, and Anthony will join the army. - Alex dislikes math, yet he still tries his hardest. - Robbie does not like school, nor does he like work. - You can work hard, or you can slack off, but no one will do the work for you.

Commas AND NOR BUT OR YET SO 5) Before FANBOYS to combine related sentences FOR AND NOR BUT OR YET SO FANBOYS are coordinating conjunctions. A coordinating conjunction connects two words, two phrases, or two clauses of equal “rank” or significance.

Commas 5) Before FANBOYS to combine related sentences - Punctuation is important, but it’s only one part of writing. - Shantel will go to college, and Anthony will join the army. - Alex dislikes math, yet he still tries his hardest. - Robbie does not like school, nor does he like work. - You can work hard, or you can slack off, but no one will do the work for you.

Commas Uses: 1) After introductory words/phrases/clauses - After this class, you will understand punctuation. 2) Around interruptions - Your English teacher, Mr. Tibbens, will teach you well. 3) Between items in a list of three or more - Mr. Tibbens loves reading, writing, and thinking. 4) Between multiple modifiers - Your muddled, confused punctuation will soon improve. 5) Before FANBOYS to combine related sentences - Punctuation is important, but it’s only one part of writing.

Semicolons Uses: 6) To combine separate but related sentences - I love punctuation; I use it all the time. - Miguel focuses and practices; therefore, he will learn the punctuation rules. 7) Between items in a list when the items include extra commas - Mr. Tibbens has lived in Harrisonburg, Virginia; Sterling, Virginia; and Pennsylvania.

Semicolons 6) To combine separate but related sentences - I love punctuation; I use it all the time. - Miguel focuses and practices; therefore, he will learn the punctuation rules. - I’m learning commas; furthermore, I will learn semicolons and colons. CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS: (Sentence; conjunctive adverb, sentence.) accordingly, furthermore, moreover, similarly, also, hence, namely, still, anyway, however, nevertheless, besides, incidentally, next, thereafter, certainly, indeed, nonetheless, therefore, consequently, instead, now, thus, finally, likewise, otherwise, undoubtedly, further, meanwhile… and many more.

Semicolons 7) Between items in a list when the items include extra commas - Mr. Tibbens has lived in Harrisonburg, Virginia; Sterling, Virginia; and Pennsylvania. - June 2, 1983; May 7, 2005; and July 21, 2016 are landmark dates in human history. - I dislike jerks; long, confusing sentences; and olives.

Semicolons Uses: 6) To combine separate but related sentences - I love punctuation; I use it all the time. - Miguel focuses and practices; therefore, he will learn the punctuation rules. 7) Between items in a list when the items include extra commas - Mr. Tibbens has lived in Harrisonburg, Virginia; Sterling, Virginia; and Pennsylvania.

Colons Uses: 8) (After a complete sentence) to set up an explanation, clarification, or example - You will learn the following skills: reading, writing, and critical thinking. - I like a few classes: English, biology, and guitar. - Mr. Tibbens teaches punctuation well: his simplified rules help students. SPECIAL NOTE: Do NOT use a colon with the following kinds of phrases: “for example,” “such as,” “to clarify,” or “like.” A colon does the same job as these phrases: they all set up examples, clarifications, or explanations.

Comma Uses: 1) After introductory words/phrases/clauses - After this class, you will understand punctuation. 2) Around interruptions - Your English teacher, Mr. Tibbens, will teach you well. 3) Between items in a list of three or more - Mr. Tibbens loves reading, writing, and thinking. 4) Between multiple modifiers - Your muddled, confused punctuation will soon improve. 5) Before FANBOYS to combine related sentences - Punctuation is important, but it’s only one part of writing. Semicolon Uses: 6) To combine separate but related sentences - I love punctuation; I use it all the time. - Miguel focuses and practices; therefore, he will learn punctuation rules. 7) Between items in a list when the items include extra commas - Tibbens has lived in Harrisonburg, Virginia; Sterling, Virginia; and Pennsylvania. Colon Uses: 8) (After a complete sentence) to set up an explanation, clarification, or example - You will learn the following skills: reading, writing, and critical thinking. - Mr. Tibbens teaches punctuation well: his simplified rules help students.

OVERsimplifying Punctuation (Be careful – these simplifications are NOT always correct!) , = and (kinda) ,FANBOYS = . ; = ,FANBOYS ; = . : = ,for example (such as, etc.) – = : + !

Questions?