Comma Use
PRACTICE EXERCISES
USE COMMAS:
before conjunctions (and, for, but, or, nor, so, yet).
after relatively lengthy introductory phrases or
dependent (subordinate) clauses.
To separate items in a series.
before and after non-essential elements.
between coordinate adjectives that modify the same
noun.
Before a direct quotation
before interrupters like however and nevertheless
EXAMPLES:
He got out of school early, so he took a nap.
After she learned the rules for using commas, her grades
improved.
Amy ordered two hamburgers, a Coke, and a side of fries.
East Elementary, the smallest school in town, enrolls only 160
students.
By the end of the game, the field was a slippery, wet mess.
When asked if he had studied for the test, Paul replied, "Only
a little," and his grade showed it!
Adam did not like math. He was, however, very successful in
his math classes.
1. Andrew Mark and Eric all play on the varsity basketball team.
2. Although Monica was very disappointed in her performance she was nevertheless a gracious loser.
3. Although I have never been to Mexico I have always wanted to travel there.
*Adjectives have an order of importance.
Colon Use
THE COLON IS USED TO:
EXAMPLES:
To introduce a list.
You will have to order: chargers, cases, cords, cables, and
speakers.
As Author, Erica Jong, stated: “If you don’t risk anything, you risk
even more.”
Dear Sir: or Dear Madam:
To introduce an extract or quotation that
follows an introductory sentence.
In the salutation of a formal business letter.
Between figures denoting hours and minutes,
with exception to the 24-hour clock system.
To precede an extended explanation.
To precede a restatement of an idea.
4:30 A.M.
6:20 p.m.
18:20 hrs.
There are two conditions that must exist before we can experience
true freedom: first, each person must be entitled to act
independently of the other; second, each must agree not cross those
parameters that have been set in place as protection from harm.
The play was poorly performed: it lacked both experience and
characterization from the actors.
Semicolon Use
SEMICOLONS ARE USED TO:
separate two independent thoughts in a sentence that
otherwise would have been separated by using a
conjunction such as and or but.
precede words like for example, for instance, as in, etc.
separate items in a long list, especially when commas
have already been used.
EXAMPLES:
It was the first of April; all the spring lines were on display.
* A comma separating these thoughts would not provide a distinct
enough pause.
The course will include role-playing which demonstrates the
practical application for anger management skills learned;
for example, a boss employee conflict, a spousal argument,
and a situation of a misbehaved child with a parent.
Please place the following orders with the restaurant for our
breakfast meeting:
two boiled eggs, sausages, toast, and coffee; eggs benedict
with a side order of hash browns, tea and orange juice; and
two pancakes with one egg cooked over easy and coffee.
PRACTICE EXERCISES
Complete the sentences below by correctly inserting commas and semi-colons.
1. Alison didn't feel well however she came to school anyway.
2. It was a hot windy day but I still spent the afternoon working in the garden.
3. When she asked if he was hungry Joe replied "I'm starved"
4. I planted shade evergreen and flowering trees short tall and medium shrubs and red yellow and white roses.
Prepositions
Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other words in a sentence.
 Most commonly used prepositions in the English language: at, by, for, from, in, of, to, with.
 At, on, and in show time and place.
 At is equivalent to the Spanish a. In and on both translate to en in Spanish, but are different in
English.
Showing Time:
at: My first class starts at 8:00am./ I got there at 5:00pm.
on: Students go to the movies on Fridays./ I had an appointment on Tuesday.
*on is only used with days of the week
in: I have classes in the afternoon./ I have to be there in five minutes./ I was born in January.
Showing Place:
at: I am at home./ Meet me at the corner of the building./ She wasn’t at school today.
on: The pillow is on the bed./ My clothes are on the floor.
in: The box is in the garage./ We are in Puerto Rico./ I read it in a magazine.
PRACTICE EXERCISES
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate preposition.
1. This semester, I don’t have class ____________ Mondays
2. My food is ____________ the oven.
3. She put the food ____________ the table.
4. I woke up ____________ 6:00 this morning.
5. My mom is ____________ the post office.
6. I’m traveling to Florida ____________.