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Sentences and punctuation
Varied sentences and accurate punctuation earn marks in both writing sections, and they make your writing more powerful.
Three sentence types
Simple: one main clause. "The bell rang."
Compound: two main clauses joined by and, but, or, so. "The bell rang, but nobody moved."
Complex: a main clause plus a subordinate clause. "Although the bell rang, nobody moved."
Compound: two main clauses joined by and, but, or, so. "The bell rang, but nobody moved."
Complex: a main clause plus a subordinate clause. "Although the bell rang, nobody moved."
Advanced punctuation
Semicolon (;) joins two closely linked main clauses: "It was late; the streets were empty."
Colon (:) introduces a list or an explanation: "She had one wish: to go home."
Dash adds dramatic emphasis, but use it sparingly.
Colon (:) introduces a list or an explanation: "She had one wish: to go home."
Dash adds dramatic emphasis, but use it sparingly.
The comma splice
A comma splice joins two main clauses with only a comma. It is a common error.
Wrong: "It was raining, we stayed inside."
Fix it with a full stop, a semicolon or a connective: "It was raining, so we stayed inside."
Wrong: "It was raining, we stayed inside."
Fix it with a full stop, a semicolon or a connective: "It was raining, so we stayed inside."
Fix the comma splice: "The door creaked, someone was coming."
- There are two main clauses joined only by a comma.
- They are closely linked, so a semicolon works.
- "The door creaked; someone was coming."
Answer: The door creaked; someone was coming.
Vary simple, compound and complex sentences for effect. Use semicolons to link related clauses and colons to introduce. Never join two main clauses with just a comma.
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