Grammar Mishaps: Semicolon vs. Comma
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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
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Thoughts, Comments or Questions?
In my opinion, brackets should not be used interchangeably with commas, semicolons or parenthesis. I use brackets in these instances: when there is a parenthesis inside a parenthetical sentence I begin and end with a bracket; when changing the upper or lower case of a word in a quoted sentence; when adding information to a quoted sentence for clarification; or when indicating a misspelling in a quoted sentence, you use the term"[sic]". Hope this helps. It's probably more than you wanted to know. ;) Robin
Thanks Robin you will make a writer out of me yet lol.....jimmy
For some reason, I like grammar-even though mine isn't always correct. Maybe it's one of my idiosyncrasies. I guess it's the teacher in me. Thanks for reading them! ;)
Once again, I'm a bit more enlightened. Thank you for this hub.
Thanks for reading!
Where would you put the comma in the following sentence? 'Watching television wasn't an option as she didn't understand it and therefore wasn't interested.'
Hi Kerin,
The sentence sounds a bit long-winded. I would restate it, "Watching television wasn't an option; she didn't understand it and, therefore, wasn't interested." There is not a comma before "and" because "therefore, wasn't interested" isn't a complete sentence. However, you need a comma before and after "therefore" because it is used as an interrupter in the sentence.  The sentence would still make sense if you omitted "therefore". Hope that helps! Great sentence to dissect! ;)
Really liked the examples, thanks. I noticed a little typo and thought you should know:
The use of commas instead of semicolons is not advised when it there are multiple commas that may cause confusion. The first and third sentences are confusing because we are unsure of which items are being listed and separated by commas.
all the best
Dave
Thanks for the catch, Dave! Cheers!
Isn't it incorrect to use "I GOT $15". instead of "I have $15" when you are saying what you have in your posession
Hi Tom,Â
It depends on your reference. If you are saying "got" in the place of "received", (e.g., I got $15 for my birthday,) then "got" is fine. If you mean "in my possession" I would use "have", (e.g., I have $15 in my pocket). Hope that helps!
I am working on my resume and in trying to be consistent I am a little list on the semi colon vs comma i am listing job duties for example
Duties include maintaining accounting records using QuickBooks Enterprise Edition 2006, setup and monthly preparation of financial statements, setup and maintenance of annual budget including sales quotas in Excel and QuickBooks for ongoing variance analysis, bank reconciliations, AP, AR, daily cash management using online banking, sales and use tax reports, data entry and other administrative duties as required by President and CEO.
Sorry for such a big example but it is actually the smallest in my resume.
Hi Marie,
I would use semicolons instead of commas just to reduce confusion. You could also display in bullet form with each skill having a new bullet. Below is one way it can be done. I don't know what "AP" and "AR" are, you may want to clarify this.
Duties include: maintaining accounting records using QuickBooks Enterprise Edition 2006; setup and monthly preparation of financial statements; setup and maintenance of annual budget, including sales quotas in Excel and QuickBooks for ongoing variance analysis; bank reconciliations; AP; AR; daily cash management using online banking; sales and use tax reports; data entry; and other administrative duties as required by President and CEO.
Hope that helps! Good luck with the job search!!
Ah, those tricky semi colons! Thanks for clarifying.
Thanks for the comment, John D Lee!
It was the longest journey of my life; nine months.
Comma or semi-colon?
Thanks
Hi Sandy,
I would not use a semi-colon because nine months is not a complete sentence. A comma would be fine. It was the longest journey of my life, nine months. Thanks for the question!
First, you said that "thus" is a conjunctive adverb, later you called it a "conjunctive verb." How can it be both?
Where des the commas go in this sentence?
Now, if all you guys, out there, still want to come in for, a dose of arbitrary thoughts that might or might not tickle your funny bone, you are welcome.
i esp love the area where you have given examples of colons, semi-colons and commas. it's enlightening. from the examples itself, i can more or less, know their difference and guess why it's like that if you understand what i mean. thanks lots.
I too am glad you wrote this hub! When I went through school I was in an experimental year where they decided not to teach grammar only reading comprehension. Safe to say my vocabulary rocks and my grammar leaves something to be desired. Usually I rely on my trusty computer 'grammar watch' to aid me in tricky situations. However, now that I'm older and in the process of learning a foreign language; truly understanding grammar has become imperative. See I need your help! Great hubs!
Useful article, thanks!
Hi all,
I am wondering if it is ever allowable to omit commas before and after the word "therefore." For example, in this instance:
Fewer meals are eaten at home, and therefore there are fewer opportunities to teach children about appropriate portion size and healthy food choices.
I think that commas should be omitted because the "therefore" is essential in this case. When it is removed, serious damage to the meaning of the sentence results.
Opinions?
working
jimmythejock says:
2 years ago
hi Robin a question lol. could i use brackets ( instead of a comma or a colon in some cases).