Dennis on October 28, 2010: This helped me so much. Putting a comma between two independent clauses will confuse your readers and make your work frustrating to read. and e.g. The majority of people do not adhere to the guidelines regarding the use of commas and colons with quotations. A colon, instead of a comma, can be used to introduce dialogue. And its use is not outwardly obvious like an exclamation point or a question mark. In American English, styles differ, but it is best to capitalize the first word after a colon if what follows forms two or more complete sentences. Comma, Semicolon, and Colon Rules 1 (Note: a clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. Independent clause. However, as a guide, it is generally advisable that you use commas to introduce quotations that consist of less than seven words and colons to introduce anything longer than that: He approached Jane and nervously asked, “Would you like to go out tonight?” (fewer than seven words, comma used) So, the colon, comma and semicolon have similar jobs: they separate things. Comma connects the elements with one another. While the colon is simply two dots stacked : the semicolon is a dot hovering over a comma ; The semicolon does jobs that are also done by other punctuation marks, but puts its own spin on the task. It appears as two dots arranged one-below the other. The colon is used to separate two independent clauses when the second explains or illustrates the first. Use a comma after "Hi" or "Hello" AND the name. Dear Professor Chen: Thank you for your interest in joining our team. The colon can be a tricky punctuation mark. In modern writing, the choice of punctuation depends largely on the desired flow of the text (i.e., how much the writer wants the reader to pause). In truth, it doesn’t really matter, and if you are introducing a quotation by using words such as “he said,” “she commented,” “they asserted,” etc. 1. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © 2021, Difference Between | Descriptive Analysis and Comparisons. Independent clause ; independent clause. They are written after the conjunction, but before the condition. Use a colon after an independent clause in order to introduce a list or qualifying description that cannot stand alone. Show all questions <= => Which of the following has correct punctuation? Commas should be used following the colon in a list EXCEPT when there are internal commas in the list. The Aske Stables, Aske, Richmond, North Yorkshire, U.K. 10F, 205, Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 2850, ShuBLDG, 2-28-10, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0013, Japan, 01-102, 1F, Building 25, Hanhe Garden, Haidian District, Beijing, China. Comma, Colon, Semicolon, or Period? Keep the following rules in mind when choosing to … ? Always place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause, but if it begins a dependent clause, don’t. Difference Between | Descriptive Analysis and Comparisons, Counterintelligence Investigation vs Criminal Investigation. Here are examples of sentences using a colon… That was Thomas _____ my husband. This handout explains the most common uses of three kinds of punctuation: semicolons (;), colons (:), and dashes (—). Colon is also used to express any ratio in numbers. Reply Your e-mail address will not … ... then either a colon or comma is appropriate. Use "Dear" and a colon if it's a formal email. Sometimes, an independent clause stands alone as a sentence, and sometimes two independent clauses are linked together into what is called a compound sentence. A colon in grammar is used to represent the start before the respective points. In fact, it is the most common way to end a salutation. Are you looking for colon rules to make sure you don't go overboard with them? Here the chemical constituents of the sugar elements are highlighted with the help of commas. What comes after the colon expresses the conclusion you've come to, and is your main point. ? Like a comma, it can separate elements in a series. Use a comma instead: There are many ways to flavor a cake—for example, with vanilla, with lemon or orange zest, or with cinnamon. Comma, Semicolon, and Colon Rules 1 (Note: a clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. You’ve probably grasped periods, question marks, exclamation points, and commas – but the rules surrounding colons may seem a bit trickier. I would not use a comma as there are two complete sentences to deal with and a comma is not usually used for dealing with that given the ideas in them. Colon example: The MC made an announcement: “The star of the show has just broken a leg and won’t be able to perform.” A colon seems the best choice. The colon is not something that shows up in the majority of sentences, like a period or a comma. semicolon (;) comma (,) 3. Comma (,) There are two main ways to use colons… There are four chores I want you to do: make the bed, do the dishes, mow the lawn, and dust the mantel. The two punctuation marks serve very different purposes, and should not be used interchangeably. To Whom It May Concern: Dear Mr. Wilson: Dear Professor Jason Smith: How To Use a Colon Correctly. Here the colon is used to show the types of fruits. Here’s a tip: Commas can be tricky, but they don’t have to trip you up. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Examples: Dear Ms. Rodriguez: Dear Dave, It also provides a pause between the different parts of the sentences. My novel has 88,000 words, including 2,700 and words. Do not use a colon after for example, that is, and namely. Depending on the circumstances, one of two different punctuation marks can be used between the independent clauses in a compound sentence: a comma or a semicolon. Its role is to provide the addition of the contents. A semi colon, or a semicolon, is a punctuation mark that is used to separate two tightknit independent clauses. A dependent clause will not stand alone.) On the other hand, a well-placed semi-colon can add nuance and subtlety to any kind of writing. Heavy rain makes freeway driving a challenge. The writer liked to post abut the topic she loved most: grammar. 1984 - 2.3% of total word count was "and" Harry Potter (first book) - 2.46% In the example sentence we’ve been using about Squiggly’s hobbies, a comma doesn’t feel like the best choice to me. They might also be used in the place of commas in order to separate various items in a list – especially if the items in the list contain commas. There is a common misconception that commas should … Many people do not understand whether they should use a colon or a comma before quotation marks, to introduce direct speech. In the punctuation system devised by Aristophanes of Byzantiumin the 3rd century BC, the end of such a claus… A colon can also be used before a quotation in running text, especially when the quotation is lengthy; or when it is a formal statement or a statement being given special emphasis; or when a full independent clause precedes the colon. It appears as a single closing question mark. Sometimes, you can also use a comma where you’d use a dash or a colon. should be “confined to parentheses and notes and followed by a comma.” The AP Stylebook, whose “punctuation-pitch” leans generally to the side of “the fewer commas the better,” is pro-comma when it comes to i.e. A semicolon separates halves of a sentence in a parallel construction. For some people, this is too illogical, and they prefer to end the salutation with a colon as opposed to a comma. I like the comma, but my colleague prefers the semi colon. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Learn how to use a semicolon (;) and when to use a colon (:) in English with examples, punctuation rules and ESL worksheets. As with the semicolon, do not capitalize the first word after the colon unless the word is ordinarily capitalized. Where Does the Research Question Go in a Paper? In a series (or list) of three or more items, you can use a comma before or, but this is a preference, not a rule. College Admissions Essay Editing Services, - University Assignments Editing Services, - Business and Corporate Editing Services, APA In-Text Citation Guide for Research Writing, How to Write a Research Paper Introduction, Writing the Results Section of a Research Paper, Which Verb Tenses to Use in a Research Paper, How to Write an Abstract for a Research Paper, Common Transition Terms in Academic Papers, Active and Passive Voice in Research Papers, 100+ Verbs That Will Make Your Research Writing Amazing, Using Commas, Colons, and Semicolons within Sentences. Either comma or colon is fine to use after the phrase "for example". Lucky for you, you can find the five definitive rules you need to know here. Comma is used to join the components, while colon is used to represent a list of existing components. A "colon" was a section of a complete thought or passage. Thank you! using either a comma before the quotation mark or a colon … The choice is yours. The Chicago Manual of Style states that i.e. For example: Sugar components consist of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon. I am stressed. Comma splices and run-on/fused sentence errors occur when only a comma or no comma is used to connect two independent clauses. They are present after the variety of contents. So, you can happily end your salutation with a comma and start the next sentence afresh. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. A comma is used after the salutation in more informal correspondence. Comma connects the elements with one another. (The colon is formal.) It is written at the start of the list. The difference between the comma and the colon might seem insignificant, but it actually reflects the level of formality in your message. People often get muddled about whether to place a comma … Use "Dear" and a colon … a rule or principle; several related sentences; a capitalized word such as a proper noun; A Common Mistake. You can use a colon, a comma, or nothing before a quotation. Key difference: The punctuations comma and colon are commonly used in grammar. He told me to wait _____ but I didn't. Is the semi colon preferable because the "collecting, correlating and analyzing" part in the middle of the list? That is to say, provided they have not been connected by a coordinating conjunction. The semicolon is the colon's quirkier sibling. In such usage, the colon functions in much the same way as the semicolon. Most of these cannot correctly be done using a comma instead. and e.g. Use a comma after "Hi" or "Hello" AND the name. The colon is a punctuation used before the start of any explanation which consists of some description points. Colons and semicolons were initially used to express pauses longer than a comma and shorter than a period. After reading the handout, you will be better able to decide when to use these forms of punctuation in your own writing. They are also used after the name of the speaker in any conversation, to indicate who is saying what. But remember: Dear isn't required in email, even when writing to a stranger. If the introduction is not an independent clause (and most aren't), you can use a comma. cola), itself from Ancient Greek κῶλον (kôlon), meaning "limb", "member", or "portion". A colon tells the reader that what follows is closely related to the preceding clause. The colon ( : ) and semicolon ( ; ) are frequently used incorrectly in place of each other. If your quotation in running text (i.e., with no introduction), use nothing before it. They are present before the points which are introduced. Difference between Comma and Colon. Colon. Jeansi on October 28, 2010: Where would you use comma or semi colon … I have several plans for my immediate future: First, I’m going to win the lottery. There is a … (Never use a semicolon after a salutation.) She would write about her three favorite punctuation marks: the comma, the semi-colon, and the colon. Typically, a comma is used. Here’s a different sentence in which you could use any of the three punctuation marks because it includes a clear, simple appositive , a noun or noun phrase that defines the noun that it came right … Hi, Christos, I'm reaching out to confirm our meeting tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. Hello, Ms. Suárez, It was great to meet you yesterday at the conference. However, a comma is fine. Nowadays, it is acceptable to introduce a quotation with a comma, a colon – or nothing. When a more "significant" separation is desired, a colon may be used. A colon separates the introduction from items in a list, or from an explanation. 1 | level: Advanced Choose whether a comma (,) or semicolon (;) would be better to fill in each blank: 1. The English word "colon" is from Latin colon (pl. The phrase such as requires a comma in front of it only if it’s part of a nonrestrictive clause. Grammarly’s writing assistant can help you make sure your punctuation, spelling, and grammar are tip-top on all your favorite websites. From this usage, in palaeography, a colon is a clause or group of clauses written as a line in a manuscript. topic: Comma or semicolon? A colon can introduce a list. The difference between the comma and the colon might seem insignificant, but it actually reflects the level of formality in your message. A comma separates items in a list (unless the items include commas of their own) or it separates clauses. Here's the correct punctuation: a comma for a personal letter, a colon for a business letter, and either punctuation mark in an email. In Greek rhetoric and prosody, the term did not refer to punctuation but to the expression or passage itself. Hi, Christos, I'm reaching out to confirm our meeting tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. Hello, Ms. Suárez, It was great to meet you yesterday at the conference. A dependent clause will not … In British English, the word following a colon is not capitalized unless it is a proper noun or an acronym. Try one of these two openings if you want to sound professional without using Dear: Hello, Ms. Gaertner-Johnston. Use a capital letter when the colon introduces. Colons A colon is used after a word group that can stand alone as a sentence (independent clause) which introduces a word, words, or a list that further explain. Comma helps to add up the constituents, as many times as desired. comma (,) semicolon (;) 2. Image Courtesy: acfw.com, lucyandmaeve.com. Notably, if using a colon in your sample usage, the word that immediately follows should be capitalized since it starts a new sentence. As we saw in the early post on identifying the sentence unit and focusing on comma splices and run-on or fused sentences, semicolons are connectors. Where you have a colon, some form of punctuation is needed there, but if you don't want to use a colon a dash could be used. Elements of different forms having the same qualities are grouped together with the help of a comma. A colon is used to give emphasis, present dialogue, introduce lists or text, and clarify composition titles. Having examined all the data gathered for my study I was ready to write the final chapter of my dissertation. Quiz. Semicolons have a few specific uses. Use a colon after an introduction that is an independent clause or if the quotation is at least one sentence. Use a colon rather than a comma to follow the salutation in a business letter, even when addressing someone by his or her first name. About the commas and semicolons after a colon, there is a tendency among many writers to use a series of semicolons after a colon in a list or set of bullet points (maybe because it sounds like colons and semicolons go together) but this is wrong. www.differencebetween.info/difference-between-comma-and-colon Dear Valued Customer: A colon can sever several functions. Semicolon vs Colon! A comma in grammar is used to represent various items of the same category. 2.