Use semicolons and commas to separate clauses

Key Notes:

1. Commas and Clauses

• Independent Clause: A sentence that can stand on its own (e.g., “I went to the store”).
• Dependent Clause: A sentence that cannot stand alone (e.g., “because it was raining”).
• Use commas to separate an independent clause from a dependent clause when the dependent clause comes first:
  • Example: “Because it was raining, I took an umbrella.”

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2. Commas in Compound Sentences

• A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or).
• Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction.
  • Example: “I went to the store, and I bought some apples.”

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3. Semicolons in Compound Sentences

• Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related in thought, but without a coordinating conjunction.
  • Example: “I went to the store; I bought some apples.”
• The semicolon shows that the ideas are connected, but it avoids using a conjunction.

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4. Semicolons with Transitional Phrases

• Use a semicolon before a transitional phrase (e.g., however, therefore, for example) to join two independent clauses.
  • Example: “I wanted to go to the park; however, it started raining.”

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5. Avoiding Comma Splices

• Comma splice: Joining two independent clauses with only a comma is incorrect.
  • Incorrect: “I went to the store, I bought some apples.”
  • Correct: “I went to the store; I bought some apples.” or “I went to the store, and I bought some apples.”

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6. Summary: When to Use

• Use a comma when separating a dependent clause from an independent clause or joining clauses with a conjunction.
• Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses without a conjunction, or with a transitional word.