semi colons, colons, and commas… what’s the difference?

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Semi Colons, Colons, and Commas… What’s The Difference?

What is a Semi Colon?

A Semi Colon is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause between two main clauses more pronounced than using a comma

Example: Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.

Semi Colon Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMtsUf59aQ4

What is a Colon?

A Colon is a type of punctuation that a writer uses when they are introducing a quotation or a list of items.

Example: You may be required to bring many items: sleeping

bags, pans, and warm clothing.

What is a Comma?

A Comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause between parts of a sentence. It is also used to separate items in a list.

Example: On February 14, many couples give each other

candy or flowers.

Example #1

Mary ate dinner the dinner tasted exquisite.

Example #1

Mary ate dinner; the dinner tasted exquisite.

Example #2

By age 15 Ivan had cooked 300 meals by age 20 he had cooked twice that amount.

Example #2

By age 15, Ivan had cooked 300 meals; by age 20, he had cooked twice that amount.

Example #3

Mary's dinner consisted of the following: salad, soup, chicken, and toast.

Example #3

Mary's dinner consisted of the following: salad, soup, chicken, and toast.

Sources

http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp

http://www.gcsu.edu/writingcenter/colonrules.htm http://www.sinclair.edu/centers/tlc/pub/handouts_

worksheets/grammar_punctuation_writing/objects_direct_indirect_and_subject_complements1.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMtsUf59aQ4