Suggested answers to exercise on Semi-colon and comma

     ;    and the    ,    

The answers to the exercise on the semi-colon and comma that was given in an earlier post is now available on The Pear Tree Blog. If you would like to check your answers or if you would like to have us look at your explanations for why you chose, or did not choose, to include the commas and semi-colons, please do write to us at admin1@thepeartree.info

Punctuation: The Comma

The comma has a few uses but here, I am going on to concentrate on just one, the one that many miss.  I have noticed when I teach children or adults that few know about the use of the comma to separate the main idea from elaborations or added details.  This is, actually, a useful device since it helps the reader to pause, take in the added details and at the same time, pinpoint the main idea that is expressed by the writer.

Take for example:

I went to the market, which I frequent, to buy groceries.

The main idea: I went to the market to buy groceries.
Added detail: which I frequent - this piece of information is not important but it gives the reader a better picture of the market in relation to the writer.

Another example is given below:

Although I put in a lot of effort, my entry was not accepted.

The main idea: My entry was not accepted.  That is the gist of what the writer wants to get across, but the writer also wants to give you the reason for, perhaps, feeling disappointed at the non-acceptance.  Hence, one gets the subsidiary, or secondary point, which is: Although I put in a lot of effort

Have a look at the third example offered below:

We were among the first at the concert theatre.  Hence, since it was free-seating, we had our choice of seats.

`Hence' is a transitional word.  It shows the relationship, or link, between the two ideas, namely, `We were among the first at the concert theatre' and `we had our choice of seats'.  It is an elaboration and not quite a part of the main idea found in the second sentence.  Similarly, `since it was free-seating' is also an elaboration and is not part of the main sentence or thought.

Now, attempt the following exercise which has the commas and semi-colons removed. Insert these where appropriate.  The answers, with explanations for some for these answers, will be available on the The Pear Tree website on Sept 10.

Jane and Peter in the hope that they will find Jane's missing wallet went to the mall.  They retraced the steps that they took while at the mall the previous day however they could not find the wallet.  Jane was distressed at having lost her wallet it had sentimental value for her as well.  Her grandmother had given her the beaded wallet for her birthday but now that her grandmother was no more she wanted that wallet more than ever in memory of her grandmother.  Jane sat on the stairs going from the lower floor to the second floor of the mall she burst into tears.  Just then a security guard walked up her she saw the familiar blue beads peeking out from the gaps in between his curled fingers.  She looked up expectantly at the man who was tall and stern-looking she could feel her heart beat faster and faster as he advanced.

The Story about the Semi-Colon (Continued)

The explanation below was taken from the earlier post.  Can you explain why the commas, semi-colons and full-stops were used in each of the sentences?

1. You, my cousin, in reality helps to make a sentence clear and you also show how two sentences, or complete thoughts, are actually related to each other. 
2. (1) is a complete thought. 
3. (2) is another complete thought but it is related to (1); hence, it shows that while the earlier idea in (1) can stand on its own, the writer is not done with the idea. 
4. He or she wants to continue by adding another, related, idea to it.

1. The commas are used here to elaborate on the `you'.  Who is the `you'?  What is within the commas (`my cousin') reveals who the `you' is, and it also helps to separate it from the main idea so as to demonstrate that this is an extra, or added, information. The same goes for the `or complete thoughts'.  The commas allows one to relate it to what comes before, namely the `sentences', thus, demonstrating that `complete thoughts' are the same as `sentences' and are included to stress the fact that they mean the same.
2. There is only one idea here and the writer wants to express just that one idea, hence, the full-stop is used at the end.
3. The idea that comes after the semi-colon is related to the idea that comes before.  The second part, after the semi-colon, is there for further explain what is meant by the first idea contained in the complete thought that comes before the semi-colon.
4. Again, the word `related' found within the commas is an added detail, to further describe the `another'.

Hope the above explanations are easy to follow and that you have understood the purpose of commas, semi-colons and full-stops (or periods).  If you would like to continue on your journey in better understanding the various English Language usages, join our online lessons.  Tell us your needs and we will tailor-make the lessons to meet those needs.  We can be reached at learnenglishonline201@gmail.com