1. Commas, Colons, and Semicolons
Punctuation Rules

2. Separate items in a series
Comma Rules:
Separate items in a series
Ex. The dishes, pots, and pans need to be washed
Separate two or more adjectives
Ex. John is a humble, innocent child.
Before for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so when they separate independent clauses.
Ex. We could read the book, or we could wait to see the movie.

3. To set off nonessential clauses
Comma Rules:
To set off nonessential clauses
Ex. His sayings, stated simply and directly, express wisdom.
After introductory elements
Ex. No, I have not read that book.
Looking calm, Jill walked to the podium
To set off interruptions
Ex. Your research paper, Dylan, is very interesting

4. Commas in Conventional Situations:
To separate items in dates and addresses
Ex. April 8, 2000
315 Wayne Court, Danuba, California
After the salutation or closing of a letter
Dear Alicia,
Sincerely,
To set off abbreviations such as Jr., Sr., RN, M.D., Ltd., or Inc.
Jorge Rivera, Jr.
Flowers by Algernon, Inc.

5. Semicolons:
Use a semicolon between independent clauses (to break up a run-on) You don’t have to use a semicolon if the run-on is already separated with a comma and conjunction (FANBOys), unless the clauses you are separating already contain a lot of commas Ex. The rain had finally stopped; a few rays of sunshine were pushing through the clouds.

6. Semicolons:
Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas. Ex. The choir bus tour traveled to Columbia, SC; Atlanta, GA; and Gainsville, Fl.

7. Colons:
Use a colon before a list or quote to mean “note what follows.” Ex. The epics we will study in class include the following: The iliad, The Aenead, and The Epic of Gilgamesh.

8. Colons:
Conventional situations: -12:01 A.M. (between hour and minute) -Mark 3:10 (between chapter and verse) -A Long Way gone: memoirs of a boy soldier (title and subtitle) - To whom it may Concern: (after the salutation of a business letter)