Commas:
* Independent Clauses with a Coordinating Conjunction:
* Example: The sun was shining, and the birds were singing.
* Key: Use a comma before coordinating conjunctions like "and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," and "yet" when they connect two independent clauses.
* Introductory Phrases and Clauses:
* Example: After a long day, I was ready to relax.
* Key: Use a comma after introductory phrases (prepositional phrases, participial phrases, infinitive phrases) and clauses.
* Items in a Series:
* Example: I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
* Key: Use commas to separate items in a list of three or more.
* Nonessential (Non-restrictive) Phrases and Clauses:
* Example: My sister, who lives in New York, is coming to visit.
* Key: Use commas to set off information that is not essential to the main sentence. If you remove it, the sentence's core meaning remains intact.
* Direct Address:
* Example: John, please pass the salt.
* Key: Use a comma to separate a person's name or title when directly addressing them.
* Dates, Addresses, and Titles:
* Example: I was born on July 4, 1990.
* Key: Use commas to separate parts of dates, addresses, and titles (e.g., "Dr. Smith").
Semicolons:
* Independent Clauses with No Conjunction:
* Example: The rain poured; the wind howled.
* Key: When two independent clauses are closely related in meaning and you don't want to use a conjunction, you can use a semicolon.
* Independent Clauses with a Conjunctive Adverb:
* Example: The train was delayed; however, I still made it to the meeting.
* Key: Use a semicolon before conjunctive adverbs like "however," "therefore," "moreover," "consequently," and "nevertheless."
* To Separate Items in a Series That Already Contain Commas:
* Example: I visited London, England; Paris, France; and Rome, Italy.
* Key: Semicolons can help clarify complex lists with internal punctuation.
Important Note: Commas and semicolons have distinct functions, so choosing the right one depends on the specific structure of your sentence. If you are unsure, always err on the side of using a comma.