Comments on: Using Commas, Semicolons, and Colons within Sentences http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/valuable-links/how-to-punctuate-between-sentences-using-commas-semicolons-and-colons/ The #1 Grammar & Punctuation Resource on the Internet! Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:15:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/valuable-links/how-to-punctuate-between-sentences-using-commas-semicolons-and-colons/comment-page-1/#comment-766 Jane Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:47:40 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=16#comment-766 #1 yes #2 yes; also "fifth-grade classroom" #3 yes #4 The comma after "areas" is optional #5 Place a comma after "college"; also, "six-year-old boy" #6 yes #7 yes #8 Leave out the comma after "level." #1 yes
#2 yes; also “fifth-grade classroom”
#3 yes
#4 The comma after “areas” is optional
#5 Place a comma after “college”; also, “six-year-old boy”
#6 yes
#7 yes
#8 Leave out the comma after “level.”

]]> By: Megan http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/valuable-links/how-to-punctuate-between-sentences-using-commas-semicolons-and-colons/comment-page-1/#comment-765 Megan Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:57:52 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=16#comment-765 Hello! I am afraid that I am overusing commas. I feel like I am using them too much in the beginning of sentences. Here are the sentences I have questions with: 1. As a graduate of Wilkes University, I obtained my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Elementary Education in May 2004. (do I need that comma in the beginning?) 2.. Prior to this employment, I completed two long-term teaching positions in the Dallas School District, both in a Kindergarten and Fifth grade classroom. (Do I need the comma after employment and after District?) 3. As a secondary learning support teacher, I have strengthened my skills in classroom management, particularly discipline procedures, and developed a strong understanding of the appropriate strategies needed to teach students of various skill levels. (Do I need the comma after teacher?) 4.As a co-teacher, I am responsible for learning the material in various content areas, without prior knowledge of the curriculum. (Do I need the comma after co-teacher?) 5. During my junior and senior year of college I spent time caring for a six year old boy with Down’s Syndrome. (Do I need a comma after college?) 6. In order to engage all students, I incorporate accommodations into lessons and activities, maintain effective communication with special and regular education staff, and ensure that IEP goals are properly met. (need the comma after students?) 7.With my qualifications and experiences in both special and regular education settings, I have developed into a more resourceful and confident educator. (need the comma after settings?) 8. It is with great anticipation that I am applying for a teaching position, on the elementary level, in your district. (do I need all of these commas here?) Thanks so much for any feedback you may have. I have been over analyzing this for days! Hello! I am afraid that I am overusing commas. I feel like I am using them too much in the beginning of sentences. Here are the sentences I have questions with:

1. As a graduate of Wilkes University, I obtained my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Elementary Education in May 2004. (do I need that comma in the beginning?)

2.. Prior to this employment, I completed two long-term teaching positions in the Dallas School District, both in a Kindergarten and Fifth grade classroom. (Do I need the comma after employment and after District?)

3. As a secondary learning support teacher, I have strengthened my skills in classroom management, particularly discipline procedures, and developed a strong understanding of the appropriate strategies needed to teach students of various skill levels. (Do I need the comma after teacher?)

4.As a co-teacher, I am responsible for learning the material in various content areas, without prior knowledge of the curriculum. (Do I need the comma after co-teacher?)

5. During my junior and senior year of college I spent time caring for a six year old boy with Down’s Syndrome. (Do I need a comma after college?)

6. In order to engage all students, I incorporate accommodations into lessons and activities, maintain effective communication with special and regular education staff, and ensure that IEP goals are properly met. (need the comma after students?)

7.With my qualifications and experiences in both special and regular education settings, I have developed into a more resourceful and confident educator. (need the comma after settings?)

8. It is with great anticipation that I am applying for a teaching position, on the elementary level, in your district. (do I need all of these commas here?)

Thanks so much for any feedback you may have. I have been over analyzing this for days!

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/valuable-links/how-to-punctuate-between-sentences-using-commas-semicolons-and-colons/comment-page-1/#comment-422 Jane Thu, 25 Dec 2008 17:53:54 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=16#comment-422 Yes. Yes.

]]> By: Marilyne http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/valuable-links/how-to-punctuate-between-sentences-using-commas-semicolons-and-colons/comment-page-1/#comment-421 Marilyne Thu, 25 Dec 2008 09:10:00 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=16#comment-421 Hello Could you tell me if you would put a comma before and in the following sentence. Mary made a grocery list to buy the following ingredients: milk, butter, sugar and bread. Thnks Hello

Could you tell me if you would put a comma before and in the following sentence.

Mary made a grocery list to buy the following ingredients: milk, butter, sugar and bread.

Thnks

]]> By: Emily http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/valuable-links/how-to-punctuate-between-sentences-using-commas-semicolons-and-colons/comment-page-1/#comment-409 Emily Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:37:24 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=16#comment-409 Yes, that's great! Thanks so much-- Cheers, Emily Yes, that’s great!
Thanks so much–
Cheers,
Emily

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/valuable-links/how-to-punctuate-between-sentences-using-commas-semicolons-and-colons/comment-page-1/#comment-408 Jane Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:35:24 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=16#comment-408 Hi, Emily. I think you have two questions here: 1. Use only one space following a colon no matter what. 2. You're right that I should have written, "If the sentence ending with a colon is followed by two or more closely-related sentences, the first word of the sentence following the colon should be capitalized." Is that better? Hi, Emily.
I think you have two questions here:
1. Use only one space following a colon no matter what.
2. You’re right that I should have written, “If the sentence ending with a colon is followed by two or more closely-related sentences, the first word of the sentence following the colon should be capitalized.”
Is that better?

]]> By: Emily http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/valuable-links/how-to-punctuate-between-sentences-using-commas-semicolons-and-colons/comment-page-1/#comment-407 Emily Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:58:36 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=16#comment-407 Hello, I had a question regarding the issue of one or two spaces following a colon that is followed by an independent clause. When you say that if the colon is followed by merely one complete sentence, that second clause should not be capitalized, but if it is followed by two or more, that same clause should be capitalized, do you mean "two or more" sentences in the same paragraph? Or two or more sentences that are closely related to the idea followed by the colon? Because I imagine most sentences are followed by another sentence, so I wasn't quite sure what you meant there. It seems to be a sticky issue and most people don't offer up a rule at all, so I'd really like to know what you think! Cheers, Emily Hello,
I had a question regarding the issue of one or two spaces following a colon that is followed by an independent clause. When you say that if the colon is followed by merely one complete sentence, that second clause should not be capitalized, but if it is followed by two or more, that same clause should be capitalized, do you mean “two or more” sentences in the same paragraph? Or two or more sentences that are closely related to the idea followed by the colon? Because I imagine most sentences are followed by another sentence, so I wasn’t quite sure what you meant there. It seems to be a sticky issue and most people don’t offer up a rule at all, so I’d really like to know what you think!
Cheers,
Emily

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/valuable-links/how-to-punctuate-between-sentences-using-commas-semicolons-and-colons/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Jane Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:26:49 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=16#comment-41 In the U.S., it is preferred to use a comma before "and" in a series of three or more. However, in order to save precious space, newspapers do not use this comma. I believe that the preferred method in British English is to leave out the comma but I don't believe it is considered wrong to put the comma in. In the U.S., it is preferred to use a comma before “and” in a series of three or more. However, in order to save precious space, newspapers do not use this comma. I believe that the preferred method in British English is to leave out the comma but I don’t believe it is considered wrong to put the comma in.

]]> By: Ella http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/valuable-links/how-to-punctuate-between-sentences-using-commas-semicolons-and-colons/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Ella Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:19:12 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=16#comment-42 I was wondering whether it's strictly wrong to have a conjunction after a coma in British English. I find that sometimes when sentences are very long it feels natural to have a coma before the word "and". I am Swedish- can it be that Swedish punctuation rules differ from English ones? As far as I can remember there are occasions when it is correct to use a coma before conjunctions. I was wondering whether it’s strictly wrong to have a conjunction after a coma in British English. I find that sometimes when sentences are very long it feels natural to have a coma before the word “and”. I am Swedish- can it be that Swedish punctuation rules differ from English ones? As far as I can remember there are occasions when it is correct to use a coma before conjunctions.

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/valuable-links/how-to-punctuate-between-sentences-using-commas-semicolons-and-colons/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Jane Wed, 28 May 2008 15:30:05 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=16#comment-43 Yes. Good job. Yes. Good job.

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