Comma and Semicolon Practice: Comma CONJ and PAR, Semicolon NC and TRANS

Instructions: Apply the comma conjunction (CONJ), comma parenthetical (PAR), semicolon no conjunction (NC), and semicolon transition (TRANS) rules to the sentences below. Identify the reason for using a comma or semicolon at the end of each sentence. For example:

Incorrect: We need the Rodriguez account updated by noon and we need to make sure it's accurate.
Corrected: We need the Rodriguez account updated by noon and we need to make sure it's accurate. (CONJ)

Incorrect: We need the Rodriguez account updated by noon however it must be accurate.
Corrected: We need the Rodriguez account updated by noon; however, it must be accurate. (TRANS) (CONJ)

1. Do you send most of your messages through e-mail or do you prefer the traditional method of "snail-mail"?

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

Do you send most of your messages through e-mail, or do you prefer the traditional method of "snail-mail"? (CONJ)

2. Our vice president was a computer science major in college consequently he rarely calls the help desk.

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

Our vice president was a computer science major in college; consequently, he rarely calls the help desk. (;TRANS)

3. We are however quite pleased with your service.

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

We are, however, quite pleased with your service. (PAR)

4. My assistant prefers a Macintosh computer I prefer a PC.

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

My assistant prefers a Macintosh computer; I prefer a PC. (NC)

5. Computers as a rule work only as fast as the person operating them can work.

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

Computers, as a rule, work only as fast as the person operating them can work. (PAR)

6. Before the personal computer or PC, businesses used word processors and typewriters accordingly many typists and data entry clerks had to learn new computer skills to keep their jobs.

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

Before the personal computer or PC, businesses used word processors and typewriters; accordingly, many typists and data entry clerks had to learn new computer skills to keep their jobs. (;TRANS)

7. Any computer can be a server but ideally it should be made for that purpose.

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

Any computer can be a server, but ideally it should be made for that purpose. (CONJ)

8. Servers are usually large-capacity computers that manage a network's resources some servers have specific resources to manage.

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

Servers are usually large-capacity computers that manage a network's resources; some servers have specific resources to manage. (NC)

9. Some servers however are dedicated to data and are called "file servers."

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

Some servers, however, are dedicated to data and are called "file servers." (PAR)

10. All of our client information was stored on the file server but it crashed yesterday afternoon losing all of our files.

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

All of our client information was stored on the file server, but it crashed yesterday afternoon losing all of our files. (CONJ)

11. We worked on the file server until 2 a.m. this morning unfortunately we couldn't save all the data.

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

We worked on the file server until 2 a.m. this morning; unfortunately, we couldn't save all the data. (;TRANS)

12. My office hours are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. my husband's hours are from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

My office hours are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.; my husband's hours are from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. (NC)

13. We will under no circumstances lower our bid.

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

We will, under no circumstances, lower our bid. (PAR)

14. The research team was late with its report nevertheless we managed to make our presentation on time.

Your Answer:

Reveal Corrected Sentence

The research team was late with its report; nevertheless, we managed to make our presentation on time. (;TRANS)