SEMICOLON AND COMMA, USAGE

SEMICOLON AND COMMA, USAGE

1. COMMAS

   • The comma is one of the most common, if not the most a common, punctuation mark in English language, it has the same form as an apostrophe but its use and placing differ. The comma is placed in the baseline of the text and its usage vary based on the sentence was used.
     • FANBOYS COMMA
       • Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses.
         • Colombia produces tons of food annually , yet hunger in our country is still getting worse
         • Planet Earth is a sphere, but there are still people who don't believe it does.
     • SERIAL AND OXFORD COMMA
       • Use a comma to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two.
         • I bought a sandwich, some chips, and coke
         • If I leave Colombia I will miss the Carnivals s since I love music, and partying
     • INTRODUCTORY COMMA
       • Use a comma to set off introductory elements that indicate time, place, mood, manner, etc.
         • Anxious about the upcoming Christmas, kids all around the world write their letters to Santa.
         • Freezing during the long winter 1920, Framers built fires and share hot chcolote to warm themselves.
     • CONTRASTING COMMA
       • Use a comma to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence.
         • The bathroom was beautiful, but the toilet had a problem every time it flushes.
         • I Went to the bank, not the library.
     • HIERARCHICAL COMMA
       • Use a comma to set off states and countries, years in a full date, titles, etc.
         • The prom date was set for June 20, 2020, in the Salon Jumbo in Barranquilla, Atlantico.
         • My friend Larry used to live in Miami, Florida, but he changed job so he moved to New York, New York
     • QUOTATION COMMA
       • Use a comma to set off quoted language.
         • "don't count the days, make the days count", Mohammed Ali said.
         • Our beloved Dr, Seuss once said, "sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory".
     • PARENTHETICAL COMMA
       • Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements. In some way it is including extra info, but without it the sentence can work perfectly.
         • Keanu reeves, one of Hollywood's most famous actors, have appeared on the big screen several times
         • Colombia, the happiest country of the world, has experienced more than 50 years of armed conflict.
     • TAG QUESTION COMMA
       • Use a comma to set off a tag question from the rest of the sentence.
         • I'm not the only one who doesn't understand the internet, aren't I?
         • Wassim really hates fruits, doesn't he?
     • VOCATIVE COMMA
       • when you address someone at the beginning of the sentence to alert them that you are speaking to them.
         • Jackson, stop bothering your brother.
         • Sir, is that your car?

2. SEMICOLONS

   • Semicolons are similar to commas but the thing is that while commas ty to separate element or independent and dependent clauses, the semicolons are there when you try to combine two independent clauses.
     • RULES
       • A semicolon can replace a period if the writer wishes to narrow the gap between two closely linked sentences.
       • Use a semicolon before conjunctive adverbs.
       • Avoid a semicolon when a dependent clause comes before an independent clause.
       • Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas.
       • Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas.
     • EXAMPLES
       • Jorge reads novels,; his friend reads manga
       • My car would not start this morning; the battery was dead.

3. SIMILARITIES

   • Both are used on independent clauses
   • Their formas are alike the only difference is that semilons have a dot in top of them

4. DIFFERENCES

   • commas usually separate related elements of the sentence while semicolons are usually used to connect two independent clauses.
   • commas mark a brief pause in the sentence, while semicolon shows a major division in a sentence.