This document provides guidance on using commas and semicolons in sentences. It outlines three main uses for commas: (1) to separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction, (2) to separate items in a series, and (3) to set off introductory elements. It also describes two uses for semicolons: (1) to separate two independent clauses without a conjunction, and (2) to separate items in a series where the items themselves contain commas. Examples are given for each case of comma and semicolon usage.

1. COMMAS AND
SEMICOLONS

2. Comma
 1) Use a comma to separate 2 independent clauses
joined by a coordinating conjunction such as for, and,
nor, but, or, yet, so. (Helpful hint: The first letter of each of the
conjunction spells FANBOYS.) . The key here is to have 2
subject verb pairs.
 Example: The students reviewed for the exam, and the teacher
corrected the term papers.
In this example we have 2 subject verb pairs: "students reviewed"
and "teacher corrected."
 Example: The teacher corrected the papers and entered the grades
in the grade book.
In this example we use the coordinating conjunction "and" but have
1 subject and 2 verbs: "teacher corrected, entered"; therefore, no
comma is used.

3. 2) Use a comma to separate items in a series to avoid
ambiguous meaning
 Example: Uncle willed me his property,
houses, and warehouses.
 In this example, we mean that uncle willed me
3 items--his houses, warehouses, and
property.
 Example: Uncle willed me his property, houses
and warehouses.
 In this example, we mean that uncle willed me
2 items--all his property, which consisted of
houses and warehouses.

4. 3) Use a comma with introductory elements such as
subordinating clauses that come at the beginning of the
sentence.
 Example: Because the river had flooded, the
school closed for the week.
 The introductory element, or subordinating
clause is "because the river had flooded." It is
introduced with the subordinating conjunction
"because."
 Example: The school closed for the week
because the river had flooded.
 In this example the subordinating clause is at
the end of the sentence so we do not use a
comma.

5. Semicolon (;)
 1) Use a semicolon to separate 2 independent clauses in a
sentence, closely related, with no coordinating conjunction.
 Example: The students reviewed for the exam; the teacher
corrected the papers.
 Example: The candidates spoke to the crowds during Election
Day; each candidate spoke passionately about the fate of the
country.
 2) Use a semicolon to separate items in a series where the
series themselves contain commas.
 Example: We visited our relatives in Albany, NY; Philadelphia,
PA; and Washington, D.C.
 Ex: "I have a sister in Columbus, Ohio; another sister in Palm
Springs, Florida; and a third sister in Oakland, California."