Comma vs Semicolons

Commas and compound sentences

Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

Independent Clausea group of words that contains a subject and

verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.

Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

Dependent Clausea group of words that contains a subject and

verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.

When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz

(What happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.)

Coordinating ConjunctionsThere are 7

And, nor, yet, so, or, but, for

When the second independent clause in a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry

quiz, but it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.

SemicolonReplaces the coordinating conjunction and

comma

Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz; it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.

Common Errors Comma Splice

A comma in between two independent clauses Solutions: add a coordinating conjunction, replace with a

semicolon, make two separate sentences, add a dependent marker word in front of one clause to make it dependent

Incorrect: I like this class, it is very interesting.

Correct: I like this class. It is very interesting.

(or) I like this class; it is very interesting.

(or) I like this class, and it is very interesting.

(or) I like this class because it is very interesting.

(or) Because it is very interesting, I like this class.

Common ErrorsRun-on sentence

Problem: Two independent clauses together without any punctuationSolutions: add a period, a semicolon, a comma and a

coordinating conjunction

Incorrect: My professor is intelligent I've learned a lot from her.

Correct: My professor is intelligent. I've learned a lot from her.

(or) My professor is intelligent; I've learned a lot from her.

(or) My professor is intelligent, and I've learned a lot from her.

(or) My professor is intelligent; moreover, I've learned a lot from her.

Common ErrorsFragmented sentence

Problem: treating a dependent clause or other incomplete thought as a complete sentence.

Solutions: combine it with another sentence to make a complete thought, remove the dependent marker.

Incorrect: Because I forgot the exam was today.

Correct: Because I forgot the exam was today, I didn't study.

(or) I forgot the exam was today.

Daily Grammar1. Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which

are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving.

2. Mr. Leyland played the viola professionally for many years and he now conducts a community orchestra.

3. The crab grass was flourishing but the rest of the lawn, unfortunately, was dying.

4. The hill was covered with wildflowers it was a beautiful sight.

5. As I turned around, I heard a loud thump for the cat had upset the goldfish bowl.