Overview
Commas, colons, and semicolons are used within sentences as punctuation to separate clauses from one another. They are not interchangeable, but may be related.
Commas in Series
Commas are used to separate words in a series, such as peas, beans, potatoes, and corn. The series may be in single words or in separate short phrases, such as in the sentence “He came, he saw, and he conquered. When etc. ends a series, it should be preceded by a comma. The abbreviation etc. stands for et cetera, Latin for and the rest. The moving sale included tables, chairs, bookcases, etc., set up in the parking lot. Commas are also used between cities and states. They moved to Spokane, Washington. They are used after a specific date such as May 7, 2016.
Commas Separating Clauses
Use a comma after a word or phrase that is used as an interjection, as a parenthetical expression, or as a transition. Well, we decided to go on Saturday. For example, commas are used after expressions such as of course, nevertheless, and similarly, when they are at the beginning of a sentence. Commas are also used when a phrase is a dependent clause or in apposition. Jill, the last person I expected to see, came on the train. Besides having to buy a car, he needed a place to live.
Colons
A colon is often used to explain or introduce a list, especially if that list is formal or long. The requirements for the program included: a term of at least six months, residence in the area, and work for a nonprofit agency. Similarly, a colon is used in a book or periodical title that contains a title and a subtitle. The book is called Audrey Hepburn: A Life in Pictures. Colons are used between hours and minutes. The train arrived at 8:15.
Semicolons
Semicolons are often used in a series to clarify a list of items when individual items also have punctuation. For example, the letter was sent to Mary Wright in Portland, Oregon; Will Rosenthal in Portland, Maine; John Pearson in Des Moines, Washington; and Laura North-Williams in Des Moines, Iowa.
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