Using Punctuation

A is used to connect words or word parts.

hyphen

Read the passage. Hanna and Ai-Lin had to wait in line for three hours to buy concert tickets. Then, they had to park a mile away and wait for forty five minutes to get into the stadium. Over one thousand people attended the concert! To correct the punctuation error in the passage, the writer should hyphenate

"forty five."

When separating items in a list, a writer should

add a comma before the "and" before the last item.

Sometimes hyphens are used to link words that work together to modify a single noun. These linked words are called

compound modifiers.

When items in a list already contain commas, the writer should separate the items in the list using

semicolons.

Read the sentence. The entire first period class agreed that yesterday's algebra homework which the teacher assigned was a really fun challenge. How should the writer revise the punctuation in the sentence so that it is grammatically correct?

Insert commas around "which the teacher assigned" because it is a nonrestrictive element.

Read the sentence. Our band practices on Mondays at Josef's Thursdays at Lena's and Saturdays at my house. What is the correct way to punctuate the sentence?

Our band practices on Mondays at Josef's, Thursdays at Lena's, and Saturdays at my house.

Which lists are punctuated correctly? Check all that apply.

The plant came in three varieties: yellow, pink, and white flowers; orange, pink, and yellow flowers; and plain white flowers. I arranged my schedule so that I have study hall first thing in the morning on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Because Shira could sing, dance, and act, she decided to audition for the school's annual spring musical.

Read the sentence. We could choose one of three ice cream flavors that had strawberries: cherries; and blueberries; chocolate chips: peanut butter, and fudge; or almonds: walnuts and pecans. What is the correct way to revise the punctuation in the sentence?

We could choose one of three ice cream flavors that had strawberries, cherries, and blueberries; chocolate chips, peanut butter, and fudge; or almonds, walnuts, and pecans.

A list should be introduced with a colon when the list is preceded by

a complete thought.