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

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)]