2. Comma
1) Use a comma to separate 2 independent clauses
joined by a coordinating conjunction such as for, and,
nor, but, or, yet, so. (Helpful hint: The first letter of each of the
conjunction spells FANBOYS.) . The key here is to have 2
subject verb pairs.
Example: The students reviewed for the exam, and the teacher
corrected the term papers.
In this example we have 2 subject verb pairs: "students reviewed"
and "teacher corrected."
Example: The teacher corrected the papers and entered the grades
in the grade book.
In this example we use the coordinating conjunction "and" but have
1 subject and 2 verbs: "teacher corrected, entered"; therefore, no
comma is used.
3. 2) Use a comma to separate items in a series to avoid
ambiguous meaning
Example: Uncle willed me his property,
houses, and warehouses.
In this example, we mean that uncle willed me
3 items--his houses, warehouses, and
property.
Example: Uncle willed me his property, houses
and warehouses.
In this example, we mean that uncle willed me
2 items--all his property, which consisted of
houses and warehouses.
4. 3) Use a comma with introductory elements such as
subordinating clauses that come at the beginning of the
sentence.
Example: Because the river had flooded, the
school closed for the week.
The introductory element, or subordinating
clause is "because the river had flooded." It is
introduced with the subordinating conjunction
"because."
Example: The school closed for the week
because the river had flooded.
In this example the subordinating clause is at
the end of the sentence so we do not use a
comma.
5. Semicolon (;)
1) Use a semicolon to separate 2 independent clauses in a
sentence, closely related, with no coordinating conjunction.
Example: The students reviewed for the exam; the teacher
corrected the papers.
Example: The candidates spoke to the crowds during Election
Day; each candidate spoke passionately about the fate of the
country.
2) Use a semicolon to separate items in a series where the
series themselves contain commas.
Example: We visited our relatives in Albany, NY; Philadelphia,
PA; and Washington, D.C.
Ex: "I have a sister in Columbus, Ohio; another sister in Palm
Springs, Florida; and a third sister in Oakland, California."
