Dashes, Semicolons and Colons

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Dashes, Semicolons and Colons

• The punctuation marks between
• commas and periods.

2
In punctuation, whats a dash?

• The dashoften typed as two hyphens side by side
  with no space between the dash and the words on
  either side of itis used to connect groups of
  words to other groups.
• Generally, the dash does this in two ways
• It separates words in the middle of a sentence
  from the rest of the sentence,
• Or it leads to material at the end of a sentence.

Does the job applicant get the question?
3
How do dashes emphasize?

• Dashes can emphasize a phrase more than commas
  could
• Joe Samson, the presidents trusted economic
  advisor, will quit at todays press conference.
• Joe Samsonthe presidents trusted economic
  advisorwill quit at todays press conference.

• Samsons plan, less interest rates, higher
  employment, and less government spending, was
  rejected by the administration.
• Samsons planless interest rates, higher
  employment, and less government spendingwas
  rejected by the administration.

Notice that the phrases inside the dashes are
more emphatic.
4
How do dashes add phrases?

• The dash also can add a phrase to a sentence when
  there is a clear break in sentence continuity
• The president wont win enough votes for another
  term of officeunless he can stop the war, cut
  the price of gas, and improve the economy all at
  once.

• Use dashes not all the time in your writing, but
  only when you wish to show special emphasis.
• Heres a final example of dash usage
• President Bushs economic policies have proven
  ineffectivealthough, it is true that there are
  still some jobs available.

Notice that the dashes add information to the
sentences.
5
What then is a semicolon?

• A semicolon is a mark of punctuation to link
  independent clauses.
• It indicates a closer relationship between the
  clauses than a period does.
• A semicolon is stronger than a comma in fact, it
  is on the level of a full period.

Are semicolons like equal signs?
6
How do most statements end?

• Independent statements are usually separated by
  ordinary periods.
• For example Grandma stays up too late. Shes
  afraid shes going to miss something. Of course,
  the poor, old lady does miss something her
  precious hours of sleep. In the mornings, grandma
  wakes up feeling pretty grumpy.

Do grandmas sometimes bend the rules?
7
Do commas work like semicolons?

• __1. So which major error do the commas below
  make?
• a. run-on, b. comma splice, c.
  fragment, d. s-v misfit.
• Grandma stays up too late, Shes afraid shes
  going to miss something, Of course, the poor, old
  lady does miss something her precious hours of
  sleep, In the mornings, grandma wakes up feeling
  pretty grumpy.

What did this grandma missthe toilet?
8
Are commas less than semicolons?

• Which conjunction covers up the comma splices?
• a. and, b. but, c. yet, d. so
• Grandmas afraid that shes going to miss
  something, __ she stays up too late. Of course,
  the poor, old lady does miss something her
  precious hours of sleep, __ in the mornings, she
  wakes up feeling pretty grumpy.

Do we really want to trust grandmas?
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How else can we replace semicolons?

• Which subordinators can replace the semicolons?
• a. because, b. so that, c. although,
  d. whereas
• Grandma stays up too late __ shes afraid that
  shes going to miss something. Of course, the
  poor, old lady does miss something her precious
  hours of sleep __ in the mornings, grandma wakes
  up feeling pretty grumpy.

Has grandpa been subordinated?
10
Can semicolons separate statements?

• Just as periods do, so can semicolons separate
  related statements.
• Grandma stays up too late Shes afraid shes
  going to miss something. Of course, the poor, old
  lady does miss something her precious hours of
  sleep in the mornings, grandma wakes up feeling
  pretty grumpy.

Are check lists the same as checklists?
11
Which words help semicolons?

• Which transition word should fill each blank?
• a. however, b. moreover, c. therefore, d.
  consequently
• Many college students have big dreams __, they
  do not always work hard enough to make them come
  true. They may waste too much time __, their
  learning suffers. Their grades decline __, they
  lose their valuable financial aid programs.

Can the roads support drivers over 85?
12
Which words accompany semicolons?

• Which conjunctive adverbs fill the blank after
  the semicolon?
• a. moreover, b. however, c.
  therefore, d. henceforth
• College students who work part-time are likely to
  graduate __, students who work full-time usually
  lag behind in college. The many hours of work
  leave too little time to study __, hard-working
  college students often must cut back on their
  heavy work schedules in order to succeed in
  college.

Whats the formula for grandmas success?
13
Whats the other use for semicolons?

• Where do we use semicolons to separate items in
  long lists?
• The committee on advanced education included four
  exceptionably notable experts _a_ they were Al
  Numero, Mathematician, from Chicago, Illinois _b_
  Moore Sayings, Linguist, from Atlanta, Georgia
  _c_ Biggie Bangor, Biologist, from Uptown, New
  York _d_ Sharpo Cutter, Surgeon, from San Diego,
  California.

Is it a tough hood when even grandma loots?
14
Then how do colons function?

• Colons introduce in four ways
• The logical result of a fact stated before
• I hit him he hit me.
• A description with the elements of a set
• Its great note its size.
• A sentence that defines the previous
• Theres a way its possible.
• 4. A direct speech with quotation marks
• She said I am coming!

How is a colon like a handshake?
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How well do colons introduce?

• The colon introduces the result of a fact stated
  before
• What do we expect after this statement?
• Im going to tell you the names of my favorite
  breakfast foods
• Of course, we expect to hear or to see a list of
  breakfast foods!

Are bagels or biscuits your breakfast favorites?
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What then do colons announce?

• If the colon announces, which below requires it?
• a. Here are my favorite breakfast foods __
  cornflakes, oatmeal, grits and gravy, and yogurt.
• My sisters breakfast foods are __ pancakes with
  syrup, biscuits and gravy, and jellied toast with
  deviled eggs.
• My mothers usually breakfasts on __ grapefruit,
  oatmeal, and buttered toast.

Why does the caption feature a colon?
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To what then do colons lead us?

• Where can a colon be used for a sentence that
  defines the previous one?
• Our English professor wants just one result from
  us __ that we all try our best.
• Nadia knew the answer well __ she didnt want to
  say it.
• Spike had a typical idea __ he would spike his
  hair up.
• No one saw Tinas accident __ her car rolled off
  the bridge.

Does the ladys t-shirt announce like a colon?
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What else do colons announce?

• Where are colons used to introduce formal quotes?
• The president stated __ I shall not leave my
  office because of my health condition.
• My best friend Mike said __ I wont quit school
  just because Im sick.
• In the American Revolution, Patrick Henry
  demanded of the British __ Give me liberty, or
  give me death!

In the caption, why is the colon after the date?
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When do we use semicolons and colons?

• Which needs a semicolon for related clauses and
  which a colon to introduce
• It is the end of the semester __ we are finishing
  the course.
• There is only one thing to do __ review
  everything that we have learned.
• The TV was on Serena watched it for an hour.

Can we replace the dash above with a colon?
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Can you use semicolons and colons?

• I bring all I need to class every day ___ my
  pens, my books and my dictionary.
• So Young failed her English test ___
  nevertheless, she was able to get a good job.
• This is what I told him ___ "Buy yourself a
  bicycle, so that you don't have to borrow mine!"

• There are two things about him that drive me
  crazy ___ his music and his cooking.
• I had lamb for lunch ___ Fred had steak.
• I took my umbrella ___ it looked like it was
  going to rain.
• Java ___ a popular programming language for the
  web.

Insert a semicolon or a colon in each blank space.
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Here are the semicolons and colons

• I bring all I need to class every day my pens,
  my books and my dictionary.
• So Young failed her English test nevertheless,
  she was able to get a good job.
• This is what I told him "Buy yourself a bicycle
  so that you don't have to borrow mine!"

• There are two things about him that drive me
  crazy his music and his cooking.
• I had lamb for lunch Fred had steak.
• I took my umbrella it looked like rain.
• Java a popular programming language for the web.

A semicolon or a colon marks each sentence.
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Can you use conjunctive adverbs?

• It is only 11 oclock __, lets eat lunch.
• It is only 11 oclock __, lets not eat yet.
• You are hungry __, so am I.
• I want to relax __, I need to study.
• You have to work __, you wont have enough
  money.
• You need money __, you work.

• Fill these adverbs into the correct blank at the
  right
• however (contrast)
• moreover (addition)
• otherwise (contrast)
• therefore (consequence)

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Here are the conjunctive answers

• It is only 11 oclock however, lets eat lunch
  anyway.
• It is only 11 oclock therefore, lets not eat
  yet.
• You are hungry moreover, so am I.

4. I want to relax however, I need to
study. 5. You have to work otherwise, you wont
have enough money. 6. You need money therefore,
you work.
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Can you use conjunctive adverbs?

• You can buy the book here __ its cheaper other
  places.
• Its good to write carefully __, careful study
  boosts grades.
• Take your dictionary to the exit essay __, you
  may need it.
• Clara passed __, her sister did, too.
• Youre ready __, you will pass easily.

• Fill these adverbs into the correct blank at the
  right
• furthermore (addition)
• likewise (comparison)
• although (contrast)
• in fact (emphasis)
• after all (example)

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Here are the conjunctive answers

• You can buy the book here although its cheaper
  other places.
• Its good to write carefully in fact, careful
  study boosts grades.
• Take your dictionary to the exit essay after
  all, you may need it.
• 4. Clara passed likewise, her sister did, too.
• 5. Youre ready furthermore, you will pass
  easily.

How often do you think this drop happens?
26
Can you use conjunctive adverbs?

• Its OK to repeat a class __, its better to
  pass at the first.
• Students must pass the exit essay __, they must
  also pass Compass English.
• Compass English is a formal test __, it includes
  lots of punctuation.
• Dont mess up __, win your own success.

• Fill these adverbs into the correct blank at the
  right
• still (addition)
• of course (concession)
• instead (contrast)
• indeed (emphasis)
• finally (summary)

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Here are the conjunctive answers

• Its OK to repeat a class of course, its better
  to pass at the first.
• Students must pass the exit essay still, they
  must also pass Compass English.

3. Compass English is a formal test indeed, it
includes lots of punctuation. 4. Dont mess up
instead, win your own success.
28
Review of the dash, colon, and semicolon

• The dash leads to somethingat the end of a
  sentence.
• The colon announces it says look for a list
  upcoming!
• The semicolon signals a tie between clauses it
  is for a closer link than for the period.

• Punctuate each blank space with either a dash, a
  colon, or a semicolon
• Marie and Elena are sisters __ they have a lot in
  common.
• There are three ways to cure the common cold __
  feed it, starve it, or ignore it.
• Few people realize the effects of inflation __
  they are terrible to consider.
• Everyone __ except me __ likes your brother
  Ernest.

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Review of the dash, colon, and semicolon

• The dash leads to somethingat the end of a
  sentence.
• The colon announces it says look for a list
  upcoming!
• The semicolon signals a tie between clauses it
  is for a closer link than for the period.

• Punctuate each blank space with either a dash, a
  colon, or a semicolon
• Marie and Elena are sisters they have a lot in
  common.
• There are three ways to cure the common cold
  feed it, starve it, or ignore it.
• Few people realize the effects of inflation they
  are too terrible to consider.
• Everyoneexcept melikes your brother Ernest.