Commas-Compound & Complex Sentences

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Example: "I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain."

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Example: "Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk."

A comma is used before the coordinating conjunction to separate the independent clauses in a compound sentence. Example: "I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain."

A semicolon is used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list. Example: "I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight."

A dependent clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Example: "Because I was tired."

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Example: "I went to the store."

In a complex list, use semicolons to separate items that contain commas. Example: "We visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Berlin, Germany."

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it connects two independent clauses. Example: "I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain."

A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses, while a complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Do not use a comma before 'and' when it connects two items in a simple list. Example: "I bought apples and oranges."