Punctuation

Punctuation is sub-category of Grammar

Note:

• this page is under construction
• for more complete set of punctuation rules go to the SAT Writing section techniques, strategies & approaches page

• punctuation is used to set rules for recreating in writing human speech
  • such as hard pauses (periods, semicolons, colons, dashes and parentheses) and soft pauses (commas)
• however, punctuation enables writing to go beyond verbal communication for complex expression and meaning

See:

• Grammar
• Word Parts of Speech & Grammar Rules for list of commonly used words, their parts of speech categories, and the rules governing their use
• Parts of Speech for grammar and usage rules on word categories
• Word Parts of Speech & Grammar Rules
• SAT Writing

[category: Grammar] [category: Language Arts] [category: SAT Verbal]]

colon

• must be preceded by an independent clause
• can be followed by anything
  • except a conjunction
  • the reason is that conjunctions and colons do the same thing

comma

• used to create a pause
• used to separate ideas
• the five uses of a comma:
  • joins independent clauses
  • joins phrases or dependent clauses with an independent clause
  • creates lists
  • parenthetical or bracketed information
• sometimes called "interrupters"
  • for lists and parenthetical uses
• commas and "because"
  • generally, "because" is an adverbial preposition that acts like a restrictive conjunction
    • i.e., it is not separated from the prior clause by a comma
    • the reason is that "because" established necessary (essential) causality for the sentence to make sense
    • ex. "I opened the fridge because I was hungry"
      • if we wrote "I opened the fridge" it would be an incomplete thought
  • "because" can also act like a subordinating conjunction
  • which would make the comma appropriate:
    • if the clause started by "because" acts as additional and not essential information, it can be separated by a comma
    • ex., "I was hungry and went to the fridge, because I knew there'd be something good to eat"
      • this example separates the two thoughts and thereby does not create a directly causal link between them
        • i.e., "because I knew"... adds non-essential information to the main clause

for lists

• = separates nouns, verbs and series of clauses
• the serial comma = comma following the 2nd to last word in a list and before the conjunction:
  • ex.: "one, two, or three bananas"
    • known as the "Oxford comma"
    • = the British convention (rule or typical use) is to place a comma after the 2nd to last word in a list
  • vs.: "one, two or three bananas"
    • both forms are correct
    • generally, American usage is to use the "serial comma" that comes before the conjunction

for parenthetical phrases or brackets

• functions as parentheses to set aside additional information without interrupting the basic sentence
• see
  • [comma (wiki)]
  • [Comma (suxxex.ac.uk)]

semicolon

• > to do
• example of literary use of a semicolon to separate combine distinct clauses within a single sentence:

The evil of the actual disparity in their ages (and Mr. Woodhouse had not married early) was much increased by his constitution and habits; for having been a valetudinarian all his life, without activity of mind or body, he was a much older man in ways than in years; and though everywhere beloved for the friendliness of his heart and his amiable temper, his talents could not have recommended him at any time. 

from "Emma," by Jane Austen (1815)