This PowerPoint is how to correctly punctuate sentences using commas and semicolons

1. Commas and Semicolons

2. Commas with Conjunctions
•Use commas
•To combine two independent clauses with a FANBOYS conjunction
• To set off introductory words or phrases
• To set off parenthetical information
• Before or after a dependent clause or phrase
• In a series of things (a list)
• To separate two or more adjectives

3. Commas with Conjunctions cont.
• There are seven conjunctions in English. The spell the acronym the
FANBOYS:
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
How to punctuate using conjunctions:
• When combining two complete sentences with a conjunction, use a
comma.
• When combining a complete sentence with a phrase or word using a
conjunction, do NOT use a comma.

4. Examples
• Mrs. Merckle won first prize for her pie at the county fair, but she didn’t
win for her cake.
• Mrs. Merckle won first prize for her pie at the county fair but didn’t win
for her cake.
• In the first examples, there is a subject with a full sentence after the
conjunction. Therefore, you need a comma.

5. Commas with Transitional Words
• Transitional words (also called conjunctive adverbs) or phrases that come
before the subject of the sentence need to be set off by a comma.
• Here are some common transitional words and transitional phrases:
however, therefore, meanwhile, furthermore, nevertheless, instead, finally, on
the contrary, on the one hand, on the other hand, firstly, in conclusion, in other
words, for example, in sum, as a result

6. Examples 2
• Nonetheless, Mrs. Merkle continued to make pies.
• As a result, Mrs. Merkle won first prize for her pie two years later.
• In the end, her hard work paid off.

7. Commas with Appositives
• An appositive rephrases the subject of the sentence in a different way.
Sometimes the appositive describes or redefines the subject. When an
appositive comes before the independent clause (complete sentence), it
needs to be set off by a comma.
Here are a few examples of appositive phrases:
• With a bushy mustache and grey hair, the captain…
• Coming over the hill, the boys...
• As quickly as she could, the mother…

8. Examples 3
• Leaning against the counter, Mrs. Merkle explained that following the
recipe was an absolute.
• With her pink hair waving in the wind, Mrs. Merkle was soon the talk of
the town when it came to her desserts.
• She began a cooking school with Mrs. Blanchet, a childhood friend and
culinary master.

9. Commas with Nonrestrictive Clauses
• Which is used in a nonrestrictive clause. Such a clause describes a
subject but is not necessary for its meaning.
• Place a comma before the restrictive clause. However, if it occurs in the
middle of the sentence, place a comma before and a comma after the
clause.
• Some nonrestrictive clauses can be appositives or simply extra
information if they fall in the middle of the sentence.

10. Examples 4
• Mrs. Merckle is, as many of her students already know, the epitome of
an excellent teacher.
• Around 1980, give or take a year, is when Mrs. Merckle began teaching
young cooks.
• Mrs. Merkle started teaching in a small school, which originally was a
garage.

11. Commas with Dependent Clauses
• The adverb clause is the most common type of dependent clause. It
serves a variety of purposes in the sentence. Some of its most common
functions are to indicate time and place, to provide reasons and
explanations, and to describe methods, conditions, and outcomes.

12. Commas with Dependent Clauses cont.
• The adverb clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.
• Some common subordinating conjunctions are the following:
as, after, although, because, even though, if, now that, provided, rather
than, since, unless, until, when, whereas, whether, while

13. Rules and Examples
• If an adverb clause occurs before an independent clause, it is followed by
a comma.
• Because Mrs. Merckle was patient, she was loved by her students.
• If an adverb clause occurs after an independent clause, it is NOT
preceded by a comma unless it begins with although, even though,
though, or whereas or another word that indicates a change.
• Mrs. Merckle was loved by her students because she was patient.
• Mrs. Merckle was patient, although occasionally she got mad.

14. The Serial or Oxford Comma
• The Oxford comma is a comma that is used in a list of items.
• Many people believe the Oxford comma is unnecessary.
• However, it clarifies meaning, AND it is required use when using MLA
style

15. The Serial or Oxford Comma cont.
• Mrs. Merckle met two tall students, George and Pete.
• Without the serial comma, you really don't know whether George and
Pete are the tall students, or whether there are two tall people in
addition to George and Pete. What you mean depends upon your
comma usage. Use the serial comma to indicate four people. Don’t use it
if you want to indicate that George and Pete are the tall students.

16. Commas with Adjectives
• Use a comma between two or more adjectives that describe the same
noun that are not joined with a conjunction usually and or or.
• Unfortunately, Mrs. Blanchet had a sleepy, indolent grandson.
• In this example, both sleepy and indolent describe the grandson. If you
can replace the comma with an and or or, you need the comma.

17. Semicolons
• Only use a semi-colon when connecting two complete sentences.
Otherwise, you probably just need a comma.
• Make sure your sentences relate to each other intimately; otherwise, do
not connect them with a semi-colon.

18. Examples 5
• The students loved Mrs. Merckle; they loved Mrs. Blanchet as well.
• Students enjoyed the cake making classes the best; they also flocked to
the pie making classes as well.
• The students enrolled every year; they brought their friends with them
too.

19. Semicolons with Adverbs
• Use a semicolon when combining two complete sentences using a
conjunctive adverb (sometimes called a transitional expression) like
instead, therefore, otherwise, however, nonetheless, or moreover.
• Look at the words on both sides of the comma; if they are both complete
sentences, you need a semicolon instead. Usually, the adverb is also
followed by a comma.
• Be careful not to confuse these expressions with FANBOYS conjunctions
that only need commas, not semicolons.

20. Examples 6
• The first year they were in business, Mrs. Merckle and Mrs. Blanchet lost
money; however, the next year they broke even.
• After ten years in business, the grey-haired ladies were making quite a
profit; moreover, they loved their jobs.

21. Semicolons in a List
• For clarity, use semicolons when distinguishing between items in a long
list that uses commas.
• It is difficult to see the relationship between items in a list if the items
are already separated by a comma. So in this situation, a semicolon helps
with understanding and meaning.

22. Examples 7
• Confusing: Mrs. Merckle likes to cook with Sharon, her sister, Jane, her
daughter, Jennifer, her best friend, and Susie, her neighbor.
• Clear: Mrs. Merckle likes to cook with Sharon, her sister; Jane, her
daughter; Jennifer, her best friend; and Susie, her neighbor.