What's the difference between a semicolon and a comma?

What's the difference between a semicolon and a comma?

The semicolon is used to seperate major sentence elements of equal grammatical rank (Hacker 250). The word semi means half.

The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments (Purdue OWL). The comma was invented to help readers. Without it, sentence parts can collide into one another unexpectedly, causing misreadings(Hacker 235).

The Rules

Do not use a semicolon in the following situtations:

• between a subordinate clause and the rest of the sentence
• between an apposite and the word it refers to
• to introduce a list
• between independent clauses joined by and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet (Hacker 253).

Do not use a comma in the following situations:

• after a coordinating conjunction
• after such as or like
• before than
• after although
• before a parenthesis
• to set off an indirect (reported) quotation
• with a question mark or an exclamation point (Hacker 249).
• between compound elements that are not independent clauses

• use a comma to seperate a verb from its subject or object
• use a comma before the first or after the last item in a series
• use a comma between cumulative adjectives, between an adjective and a noun, or between an adverb and an adjective
• use a comma to set off a concluding adverb clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence (Hacker 246-248).

The Usage

Semicolons

• Use a semicolon between items in a series containing internal punctuation
• between closely related independent clauses not joined with a coordinating

conjunction

• between independent clauses liked with a transitional expression (Hacker 251,252).

commas

• Use a comma between coordinate adjectives not joined by and
• before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses
• after an introductory word group
• between all items in a series
• use commas to set off nonrestrictive elements:

"For camp the children needed sturdy shoes, which were expensive."

• use a comma to set off transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements
• use commas to set off nouns of direct address, the words yes and no, interrogative tags, and mild interjections
• use commas with expressions such as he said to set off direct quotations
• use commas with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers
• use commas to pervent confusion (Hacker 235-245).

Links

• OWL Online Writing Lab [(http://owl.english.purdue.edu.)]

Works Cited

• Hacker,Diana. A Writer's Reference. 5th Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003
• "Using Commas." OWL.1994-2004 Purdue University Online Writing Lab. 12July.2006 <htt://owl.english.purdue.edu>