1. Commas Colons/ Semi -colons
Punctuation
Commas
Colons/ Semi -colons

2. What are commas?
Commas are forms of punctuation that can make the meaning of sentences clearer by separating certain sentence elements. However using too many commas can cause more confusion than leaving them out.

3. Commas in a Series
Use commas between adjectives of equal rank that modify the same noun.
Example: A young, adventurous man jumped off a 300-foot bridge.

4. Commas is a series
Use commas after first , second, and so on when they introduce items in a series.
Example: Participant are asked to folloe three simple rules: first, secure the bungee cord for safety; second, do not attempt to hold on to anything ; and third , have fun.

5. Commas in a series
In a series of three or more items use a comma after every item except the last one.
Example: Bungee jumping has joined the ranks of surfboarding , skateboarding, and sky surfing as an extreme sport.

6. Commas after Introductory Elements
Use a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase that contains one or more other prepositional phrases.
Example: At the beginning of the jump, a person feels a rush of emotions.

7. Commas with Introductory Elements
Use a comma after an introductory word or a mild interjection such as oh or well.
Example: Oh, bungee jumping is not for the fain-hearted
Example: However, if you are a thrill seeker , then this is the perfect hobby.

8. Commas with Introductory Elements
Use a comma after an infinitive phrase, participial phrase, or an adverb clause that begins a sentence.
Example: Taking a deep breath, the jumper prepares for the dive.
Example: When the jump is over, the exhilaration remains.

9. Commas as Interupters
Use commas to set off words that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence.
Examples: Bungee jumping, by the way, can be done in groups.
A seven –person team, for example, has jumped in a specially designed basket.

10. COMMON INTERUPTERS HOWEVER THERFORE FOR EXAMPLE I SUPPOSE MOREOVER
I BELIEVE
BY THE WAY
IN FACT
AFTER ALL
OF COURSE
FURTHERMORE
NEVERTHELESS

11. Commas as Interrupters
Use commas to set off nonessential appositives
Example (nonessential) Paul, my brother, has gone bungee jumping in Australia.
Example : essential (no commas)
His friend Sheila will jump from a hot-air balloon in August

12. Use Commas to Set Off Nouns of Direct Address
A noun of direct address names the person or people being spoken to. Nouns of direct address can be either proper nouns or common nouns .
Example: David, do you know anyone who has gone bungee jumping?
Example: If you want to learn more about bungee jumping , ladies and gentlemen, try a search on the Internet.

13. Commas as Interrupters
Use commas to set off nouns of direct address
Example: David, do you know anyone who has gone bungee jumping?
If you want to learn more about bungee jumping, ladies and gentlemen, try a search on the Internet.

14. Use commas to set off nonessential appositives
An appositive is a word or phase that identifies or renames a noun or pronoun , A nonessential appositive adds information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence in which the meaning is already clear.
Example: Paul, my brother, has gone bungee jumping in Australia. (my brother as used in this sentence is nonessential)
Example: His friend Sheila will jump from a hot-air balloon in August (Sheila as used in this sentence is essential)
An essential appositive provides information that is needed to explain the preceding noun or pronoun . It requires no commas.

15. Use Commas with Nonessential Clauses
Use commas to set off non essential clauses.
A non essential clause adds extra information to a sentence but is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence.
Example: Trick riding and fancy roping ,which are virtually unknown to rodeo fans today, were popular events during the 1920’s and 1930’s.
Essential clauses are necessary to the meaning of sentences and are not set off with commas.
Example: Fancy roping originated among those Mexican horsemen, who are known as charros.

16. Use Commas to avoid confusion
Use a comma whenever the reader might misinterpret a sentence without it.
Example: (Unclear) Before the rodeo cowboys competed against one another for fun.
Example: (clear) Before the rodeo, cowboys competed against one another for fun.

17. Use Commas with Quotations
Use commas to separate direct quotations from explanatory words like he said , Greg replied, and Sheila asked. If the explanatory words precede the quotation, insert a comma before the quoted words.
Example: Mr. Cruz said, ”The rodeo was born during the era of the cattle industry, in the 1860’s and 1870’s

18. Use Commas with Quotations
If explanatory words interrupt a quotation , insert a comma inside the quotation marks before the explanatory words and another comma after the explanatory words.
Example: “Cowboys would gather together, ”Mr. Cruz said, :and compete against one another in steer roping and bronco riding.”

19. Use Commas With Quotations
If explanatory words follow a quotation, insert a comma inside the quotation marks before explanatory words.
Example: “Today cowboys compete against each other for monetary awards,” added Mr. Cruz.

20. Commas in Compound Sentences
Use a comma to separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction in q compound sentence.
Example: Rodeos are held in many parts of the United States ,but they are also popular in Mexico, Canada , and Australia.

21. Use Commas in Letters, Place, Names , and Dates
Use a comma after the Salutation in a Letter
Example: Dear Samantha,
Use a comma to set off a year number following a date
Example: June 25, 2009
Use commas to set off the name of a state or county following the name of a city or town
Example: Houston, Texas,
Use commas after each part of an address (but not before the ZIP code
Example: 111 West Fourth Street , Fort Worth, TX 76102
Use a comma after the closing
Example: Sincerely,

22. Commas in Letters, Place Names , and Dates
Use a comma after the salutation in a letter
Ex: Dear Samantha,
Use a comma to set off the year and number following a date
Ex: June 25, 2000
Use a comma to set off the name of a state or country following the name of a city or town
Ex: Houston, Texas

23. Commas in Letters, Place Names , and Dates
Use a comma after each part of an address (but not before the ZIP code)
Ex: 111 West Fourth Street, Fort Worth, TX
761021