Semicolons and Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions
Comma (and Semicolon) Rule #3: Separate 2 independent clauses with one of these techniques:
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Semicolon
o I love English class; it’s so interesting!
Comma with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
o I was a lifeguard this summer, so I know CPR.
Semicolon with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, nevertheless, etc.).
o I love to eat pizza; however, I’m not a fan of Imo’s.
Part 1: Separate the independent clauses with one of the following techniques (you must use each technique at
least once). Watch out! There may be some dependent clauses and items in a series used as well.
1. Castles offer a window to medieval times they inspire tales of knights and valor.
2. People began building castles in the ninth century those early efforts bore little resemblance
to King Arthur’s castle in Camelot.
3. Most early castles were constructed of wood it was not until the 1100s that builders of castles
used stone.
4. Some people built castles on lakes, riverbanks, mountaintops, or steep hillsides these settings
provided natural defenses.
5. As times progressed castles became larger they included more advanced defensive features
like stronger walls better weapons and better resources.
Part 2: Correct the punctuation in the following sentences; you can also add in conjunctions wherever needed.
Again, watch for dependent clauses and items in a series.
6. One example, the arrow slit allowed an archer to shoot out of a small window, the window
was so small that an attacker could not shoot in.
7. Tradespeople, farmers and peasants were not allowed to live in the nobleman’s castle; they
built their homes outside its walls creating towns.
8. Some castles were almost impenetrable, a clever enemy could still find weaknesses.
9. I would love to visit a castle; but there aren’t any in the United States.
10. I will save up my money and travel to Europe, however I will have to get a job, open a
savings account and do well in school.
Level 4: Write 3 sentences—one that features a comma with a coordinating conjunction, one with a semicolon,
and one with a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb.