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Deep dive into comma rules, semicolon usage, and colon placement — the most frequently tested punctuation on the SAT.
Learn step-by-step with practice exercises built right in.
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Add commas where needed: "After the long tiring hike we ate sandwiches drank water and rested."
Add commas for:
Corrected: "After the long**,** tiring hike**,** we ate sandwiches**,** drank water**,** and rested."
Rules applied:
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Answer: "After the long, tiring hike, we ate sandwiches, drank water, and rested."
Choose the correct option: (A) "The museum, which opened in 1985 has attracted millions of visitors." (B) "The museum, which opened in 1985, has attracted millions of visitors." (C) "The museum which opened in 1985, has attracted millions of visitors."
Answer: (B)
"Which opened in 1985" is a nonrestrictive clause (adds extra info). It must be set off by commas on BOTH sides.
(A) Missing the closing comma after "1985" ❌ (B) Commas on both sides of the clause ✅ (C) Missing the opening comma before "which" ❌
Rule: Nonrestrictive clauses are like parenthetical asides. They need punctuation on BOTH sides — either commas, dashes, or parentheses.
Think of it like parentheses: "The museum (which opened in 1985) has attracted millions."
SAT Trap: If you see a comma on one side of a nonrestrictive clause but not the other, it's wrong. They MUST come in pairs.
When should you use a semicolon instead of a comma? "The project was behind schedule (,/;) however (,/;) the team managed to finish on time."
Use a semicolon before "however" and a comma after it:
"The project was behind schedule**;** however**,** the team managed to finish on time." ✅
Why:
Conjunctive adverbs need a semicolon before and comma after: ; however, ; therefore, ; moreover, ; furthermore, ; nevertheless, ; consequently,
Compare with coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) which use comma only: , and , but , or , nor , for , yet , so
Wrong: "...schedule, however, the team..." ← comma splice! Wrong: "...schedule; however; the team..." ← semicolon after "however" is wrong
Answer: Semicolon before "however," comma after it.
Add correct punctuation: "The conference featured speakers from three cities New York New York Chicago Illinois and Austin Texas."
The list items contain internal commas (city, state), so use SEMICOLONS between items:
"The conference featured speakers from three cities**:** New York**,** New York**;** Chicago**,** Illinois**;** and Austin**,** Texas."
Punctuation used:
Why semicolons? Without them: "New York, New York, Chicago, Illinois, and Austin, Texas" — is that 6 items or 3? The semicolons clarify grouping.
Answer: "The conference featured speakers from three cities: New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; and Austin, Texas."
Rule: Use semicolons to separate items in a list when the items themselves contain commas.
Determine whether each comma is correct, unnecessary, or missing: "The old, brick, factory, which had been abandoned for decades was finally demolished, to make way for a new park."
Evaluate each comma:
"old**,** brick" — ❌ UNNECESSARY. "Old" and "brick" are not coordinate adjectives. "Old brick factory" = "brick" is part of the noun. Test: "old AND brick factory"? No. Remove this comma.
"brick**,** factory" — ❌ UNNECESSARY. Never separate the last adjective from its noun with a comma.
"factory**,** which" — ✅ CORRECT. Opens a nonrestrictive clause.
MISSING comma after "decades" — ❌ MISSING. Closes the nonrestrictive clause. Add: "decades**,**"
"demolished**,** to" — ❌ UNNECESSARY. Don't separate a verb from its purpose/infinitive phrase.
Corrected: "The old brick factory**,** which had been abandoned for decades**,** was finally demolished to make way for a new park." ✅
Key rules applied: