Commas vs Semicolons

Commas vs Semicolons

ENG 511 | Ms. Snider

Commas Review

Use commas...

1. to separate independent clauses when they are joined by coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

2. after introductory words, phrases, or clauses.   in the middle of a sentence to set off words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

3. to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.

4. to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun.

5. to set off all geographical names, items in dates, and titles in names.

6. to shift between the main discourse and a quotation

Draw

Draw a semicolon.

Semicolons

Use a semicolon...

1. when you link two independent clauses with no connecting words

2. when you join two independent clauses together with one of the following conjunctive adverbs (adverbs that join independent clauses): however, moreover, therefore, consequently, otherwise, nevertheless, thus, etc​

​When linking independent clauses without connecting words.

EXAMPLE:

It was snowing outside; Laura decided to go skiing.​

​

It was snowing outside. = independent clause

Laura decided to go skiing. = independent clause​

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is written correctly?

• Tomorrow; we will go to the mall.

• Amy and Meg; know a lot about science.

• Tim loves sports; he wants to be a coach.

• I don't like spinach; which is my mom's favorite.

Open Ended

Make up your own sentence that uses this semicolon technique.

When you join two independent clauses with one of these conjunctive adverb: however, moreover, therefore, consequently, otherwise, nevertheless.

EXAMPLE:

It was snowing outside; therefore, Laura decided to go skiing.

​

It was snowing outside. = independent clause

Laura decided to go skiing. = independent clause

therefore = conjunctive adverb ​

​

​

​

Open Ended

Connect these two independent clauses using a conjunctive adverb.

Austin's favorite cake is vanilla. We made it for his birthday.

Open Ended

Connect these two independent clauses using a conjunctive adverb.

The dog was scared. We gave him a toy.

​IMPORTANT:

When you use a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb, the adverb MUST be followed by a comma.

​

EXAMPLE:

​; therefore,

; however,

; thus, ​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

conjunctive adverbs: however, moreover, therefore, consequently, otherwise, nevertheless, thus, etc.

Semicolon

coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet

​Comma

Comma vs. Semicolon

Multiple Choice

Comma or semicolon?

I went to dinner and I went to the movies.

• Comma

• Semicolon

Multiple Choice

Comma or semicolon?

She was struggling in math therefore she asked her teacher for help.

• Comma

• Semicolon

Multiple Choice

Comma or semicolon?

Carl has never been to Rome however he knows a lot about Roman mythology.

• Comma

• Semicolon

Multiple Choice

Comma or semicolon?

Alison plays the piano but the violin is her favorite.

• Comma

• Semicolon

Multiple Choice

Comma or semicolon?

Sheila loves Ted Lasso so she made me watch it.

• Comma

• Semicolon

Poll

Rate your understanding of commas and semicolons.

• Bad, bad, very bad

• Eh

• Pretty good

• Fan-flipping-tastic