Punctuation Activity                                                                                                                  

Add Commas, Semi Colons and Colons where appropriate

1. Caffeine was once thought to be safe but researchers now warn of harmful effects. However I still don't care.

2. Even though I know that caffeine is bad for me I can't resist a Tim Horton's coffee.

3. There are important vitamins found in vegetables vitamin A thiamine vitamin B and vitamin C.

4. Doctors find that the drug works but they worry about its side effects.

5. Since some of the side effects are dangerous they affect a patient's health a great deal.

6. Most students now use computers to print their essays nevertheless some still prefer to compose with pen and paper.

7. Carol appears to be gentle however she can be strong when she needs to be.

8. Once 'Better Call Saul' starts up again there will be many great shows to watch.

9. The dragons have grown to their full sizes therefore they are harder to control.

10. The fall fair had some new attractions a ferris wheel a roller coaster and an antique merry-go-round.

11. At that time however I didn't know him very well so he was a mystery to me.

12. We can tell Chris is separated because he isn't wearing his wedding ring in addition he is performing concerts almost every night this fall and in the New Year.

 

1. Caffeine was once thought to be safe, but researchers now warn of harmful effects. However, I still don't care.

2. Even though I know that caffeine is bad for me, I can't resist a Tim Horton's coffee.

3. There are important vitamins found in vegetables, thiamine, and vitamins A, B, and C.

4. Doctors find that the drug works, but they worry about its side effects.

5. Since some of the side effects are dangerous, they affect a patient's health a great deal.

6. Most students now use computers to print their essays. Nevertheless, some still prefer to compose with pen and paper.

7. Carol appears to be gentle; however, she can be strong when she needs to be.

8. Once 'Better Call Saul' starts up again, there will be many great shows to watch.

9. The dragons have grown to their full sizes. Therefore, they are harder to control.

10. The fall fair had some new attractions: a ferris wheel, a roller coaster, and an antique merry-go-round.

11. At that time, however, I didn't know him very well, so he was a mystery to me.

12. We can tell Chris is separated because he isn't wearing his wedding ring. In addition, he is performing concerts almost every night this fall and in the New Year.

Step-by-step explanation

1. Use a comma before "but" to separate two clauses. Use a comma too when using "however" in introducing a contrasting idea.

2. Using a clause with "although" requires a comma to separate it to the other clause.

3. a. Use a comma in giving lists.

b. Arrange the list of items acccording to their classification, and omit some words to avoid redundancy.

Incorrect:

vegetables vitamin A thiamine vitamin B and vitamin C.

Correct:

vitamins, thiamine, and Vitamins A, B, and C.(types of vitamins...no need to repeat the word "vitamin")

c. Use a comma to the last list before the word "and".

4. Same explanation as #1.

5. Put a comma in using "since" in a clause to introduce a cause. Using a comma separates dependent clause from the independent clause.

6. It's more appropriate to use the word "nevertheless" with a comma at the beginning of a new sentence to introduce a contrasting idea. Make sure you put a period a the end of the first sentence/idea.

7. To introduce an opposite idea, we use "however" with a comma after it to begin a new sentence. Make sure to end the first idea with a period or semi colon.

8. Same explanation as #2. This time using "once". A comma separates dependent clause from the independent clause.

9. Same explanation as #6 this time using "therefore".

10. Same explanation as #3, letter A. Use a colon before giving the lists.

11. Use a comma after a phrase (At the time), and another comma after a transitional word (however) in giving a quick contrast. In using "so", you can use a comma after the first idea/clause or begin a new sentence with a comma after it.

For example:

At that time, however, I didn't know him very well, so he was a mystery to me.

OR

At that time, however, I didn't know him very well. So, he was a mystery to me.

12. In adding an idea to support the first one, use "in addition" to begin a new sentence. Make sure to end the previous sentence with a period. You can also use "in addition to" in the middle of the sentence, or at the beginning with a comma at the end of the clause.

For example:

We can tell Chris is separated because he isn't wearing his wedding ring. In addition, he is performing concerts almost every night this fall and in the New Year.

OR

He is performing concerts almost every night this fall and in the New Year, in addition to his seasonal tv series.

OR

In addition to his seasonal tv series, he is performing concerts almost every night this fall and in the New Year.