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APPENDIX B: Punctuation Primer (for the SAT)
Can use between sentences?
Must use between sentences?
Punctuation Mark
Examples
I like using commas and dashes between sentences , I will continue to do so 188 . I like using commas and dashes between sentences . I will continue to do so. ✓ I like using commas , and dashes between sentences and I will continue to do so. I like using commas and dashes between sentences , and I will continue to do so. ✓ I like using commas and dashes between sentences , I will continue to do so. I like using commas and dashes between sentences ; I will continue to do so. ✓ I like Paris, France , Rome, Italy , and Bangkok, Thailand. I like Paris, France ; Rome, Italy ; and Bangkok, Thailand. 189 ✓ I like : Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Bangkok, Thailand. I like many places : Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Bangkok, Thailand. ✓ I like many places : some of the places I like are Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Bangkok, Thailand. ✓ I like — Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Bangkok, Thailand. I like many places — Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Bangkok, Thailand. ✓ I like many places — some of the places I like are Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Bangkok, Thailand. ✓ The SAT — a test I used to fear — is actually manageable with the proper preparation. ✓
, (comma)
NO
NEVER
comma + conjunction
YES
YES
; (semicolon)
YES
USUALLY
: (colon)
YES
NO 190
― (dash) 191
YES
NO
188 Using a comma here creates a comma splice! 189 This is a complex series: a list of three or more items in which at least one item contains internal commas, thus requiring the use of semicolons for clarity. Though infrequent, this is tested on the SAT. 190 Though a colon does not have to be used between sentences, what precedes the colon should be a complete sentence. 191 The dash and colon are very similar except in one instance: dashes can used to set off a parenthetical; colons cannot.
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