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 Clause
 a 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 Clause
 a 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 Conjunctions
 There 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.
Semicolon
 Replaces 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 Errors
 Run-on sentence
 Problem: Two independent clauses together without any
punctuation
 Solutions: 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 Errors
 Fragmented 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 Grammar
1. 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.