EAP 140 AM - PARK, Hyunyoung - Week 1 1/4

1. Comma: it would prevent readers from being confused.

 (1) A comma and a coordinating conjunction link two independent clauses.
 (2) A comma separates an introductory word or phrase from the rest of the sentence.
 (3) A comma separates words, phrases, or clauses in a list.
 (4) A comma is used between coordinate adjectives such as severe, but it should't be located with 'and', also between cumulative adjectives such as chocolate.
 (5) A comma isn't used before restrictive elements, but before nonrestrictive elements.
 (6) A comma detaches from transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and elements expressing contrast.
 (7) A comma segregates nouns of direct address, the words 'yes' and 'no', interrogative tags, and mild interjections.
 (8) A comma is used before and after "he said" when writing conversation.
 (9) A comma joins with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers.
 (10) A comma makes readers avoid confusion.

2. Unnecessary commas

 (1) A comma shouldn't be used between compound elements that aren't independent clauses
 (2) A comma shouldn't be used after a phrase which starts an inverted sentence.
 (3) A comma shouldn't be used before the first of after the last item consecutively.
 (4) A comma shouldn't be between cumulative adjectives, between an adjective and a noun or between and adverb and and adjective.
 (5) A comma shouldn't be used to pull apart restrictive or mildly parenthetical elements.
 (6) A comma shouldn't be located to separate a concluding adverb clause which is necessary to the meaning of the sentence.
 (7) A comma shouldn't be used to set off a verb from its subject or object.
 (8) A comma shouldn't be placed after coordinating conjunction, 'such as', 'like', 'although', also before 'than', a parenthesis.
 (9) A comma shouldn't be used to separate an indirect quotation.
 (10) A comma shouldn't be with a question mark or an exclamation point.

3. The semicolon

 (1) A semicolon separates two independent clauses that have a link in meaning.
 (2) A semicolon has function that it can detach items in a list that contains commas. Adding semicolons makes the list easier to read.
 (3) A semicolon shouldn't be used between a subordinate clause and the rest of the sentence.
 (4) A semicolon shouldn't be used between and appositive and the word it refers to.
 (5) A semicolon shouldn't be used to introduce a list.
 (6) A semicolon shouldn't be used between independent clauses with 'and', 'but', 'or', 'nor', 'for', 'so', or 'yet'.

4. The colon

 (1) A colon introduces a list only after a complete sentence.
 (2) A colon is used before a phrase that gives more information about a complete statement in formal writing. The information after the colon explains the complete statement.
 (3)  A colon is used after an independent clause to pay attention to a list, an appositive, or a quotation.
 (4) A colon is used after the salutation in a formal letter to point hours and minutes, to let reader know proportions, between a title and subtitle, and between city and publisher in bibliographic entries.