Grammar Mishaps: Semicolon vs. Comma

Grammar Mishaps: Semicolon vs. Comma90
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When should you use a semicolon and when should you use a comma?
The bottom line: it's up to you. Semicolons and commas are used to link two sentences or independent clauses. An independent clause must contain a subject and a verb. You have the choice of leaving one independent clause alone and ending it with a period, or you may link two independent clauses together with either a comma or semicolon. As long as you follow the simple rules for commas and semicolons, grammatically, either way you will be correct.




Correct Usage of the Semicolon (;)
The semicolon is used when connecting two sentences or independent clauses. Unlike the comma, you do not use coordinating conjunctions, e.g., and, or, but, etc. A semicolon can also be used when connecting two independent clauses with conjunctive adverbs, e.g., however, therefore, thus, otherwise, etc. When beginning the second independent clause after a semicolon, do not use a capital.



•I love chocolate mint gelato; it's not as healthy as yogurt.
•I love chocolate mint gelato; however, it's not as healthy as yogurt


•Yesterday, we went to Walter Haas Park; Georgia was exhausted when we got home.
•Yesterday, we went to Walter Haas Park; thus, Georgia was exhausted when we got home.




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Correct Usage of the Comma with Independent Clauses
When linking two independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, for, so, nor, yet), place the comma before the conjunction. Remember: do not use the comma if you do not have two independent clauses.


•I love chocolate mint gelato, but it's not as healthy as yogurt.

•Yesterday, we went to Walter Haas Park, and Georgia was exhausted when we got home.

•Yesterday, we went to Walter Haas Park and were exhausted afterward. (There is no comma before the "and" here because "were exhausted afterward" is not a complete sentence.




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OOPS- Common Mistakes
•These sentences contain two independent clauses without coordinating conjunctions; thus, you need to use a semicolon and not a comma.





She was a great dancer, she danced for the Hubbard Street Ballet Company. INCORRECT

She was a great dancer; she danced for the Hubbard Street Ballet Company. CORRECT


•"Thus" is a conjunctive verb that is connecting two independent clauses. Commas are not used with conjunctive verbs and independent clauses.

She was a great dancer, thus, she danced for the Hubbard Street Ballet Company. INCORRECT

She was a great dancer; thus, she danced for the Hubbard Street Ballet Company. CORRECT


•In some instances it is best to use semicolons instead of commas. For example, when there are lists that contain more than one word a comma may cause confusion. In the below examples, the first and third sentences are confusing because we are unsure of which items are being listed.

I love dancers: they are graceful, which is evident by their delicate movements, they are hard working, which shows through their strength in their movements, and they are disciplined, which we can see through their precision of steps. INCORRECT


I love dancers: they are graceful, which is evident by their delicate movements; they are hard working, which shows through their strength in their movements; and they are disciplined, which we can see through their precision of steps. CORRECT

He was campaigning in Los Angeles, California, Lincoln, Nebraska, Boston, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island. INCORRECT


He was campaigning in Los Angeles, California; Lincoln, Nebraska; Boston, Massachusetts; and Providence, Rhode Island. CORRECT