use commas before a ... to separate the ... in a compound sentence
coordinating conjunction, simple sentences
use commas after ... words, phrases and clauses that ... of sentences (these introductory items will always be followed by a ...)
introductory, come at the beginning, independent clauses
use a pair of commas to separate words phrases or clauses that are ... to the meaning of the sentence
not essential
do not use comma with with clauses beginning with ...
that
Use commas to separate items in a ...
series or list
Use commas between ... that come before a noun (but only if the sentence still sounds right if you ... between the two adjectives and/or ... of the adjectives.
two adjectives, add the word "and", switch the order
use commas to set off all ... items in ... except the month and day), and addresses (except the street number and name)
geographical names, dated, addresses
Use commas with ... to set off dialogue from ...
quotation marks, narration
Use commas to set off ... that comes ... of a sentence
nonessential information, towards the end
Do not use commas ... the word ...
before, because
Use semicolons to join the parts of a ... if no ... is used (this includes the usage of a ...)
compound sentence, coordinating conjunction, conjunctive adverb
Use semicolons to separate the ... when there are commas ... the parts or the items in the series are ... or ...
parts of a series, within, long, complex
Use semicolons to help clarify a ..., .... that already contains commas
long, complicated sentences, other commas
Use colons to introduce an ... or a ... of items (Hint: use a colon with the phrases ... and ... and use a colon before a series or list only if the words that introduce the list make up a complete sentence)
item, list, as follows, the following, complete sentence
Use colons between two ... when the second ... or ... the first
independent clauses, explains, summarizes
Use colons to introduce a long or formal ... or ...
quotation, announcement