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

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The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments (Purdue OWL). According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word "comma" comes from the Greek komma, which means "something cut off" or "a short clause" (Wikipedia).

The semicolon is used when you link two independent clauses with no connecting words (Purdue OWL). The word semi means half. For example: I am going home; I intend to stay there (Purdue OWL).

Rules

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
  • 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).

Usuage

Semicolon

Items in a Series

The semicolon is always used instead of the comma after items in a series when these items are long or complicated (Word Book).

Classic science fiction sagas are Star Trek, with Mr. Spock and his large pointed ears; Battlestar Galactica, with its Cylon Raiders; and Star Wars, with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader (Hacker 252).

Closely Related Independent Clauses

A semicolon must be used whenever a coordinating conjunction has been omitted between independent clauses. To use merely a comma creates a kind of run-on sentence known as a comma splice (Hacker 251).

In 1800, a traveler needed six weeks to get from New York City to Chicago; in 1860, the trip railroad took two days (Hacker 251).

Transitional Expressions

When a transitional expression appears in the middle or at the end of the second independent clause, the semicolon goes between the clause (Hacker 252).

Most singers gain fame through hard work and dedication; Evita, however, found other means (Hacker 252).

Commas

Coordinate Adjectives

When two or more adjectives each modify a noun separately, they are coordinate (Hacker 238).

Roberto is a warm, gentle, affectionate father (Hacker 238).

Coordinating Conjunction

When a coordinating conjunction connects two or more independent clauses- word groups that could stand alone as seperate sentences- a comma must precede it (Hacker 235).

Nearly everyone has heard of love at first sight, but I fell in love at first dance (Hacker 236).

Introductory Word Groups

The most common introductory word groups are clauses and phrases functioning as adverbs (Hacker 236).

When Keishawnna was ready to play kickball, her sister held the ball and started to cry.

Items in a Series

Unless you are writing for a publication that follows another convention, seperate all items in a series- including the last two- with commas (Hacker 237).

Bubbles of air, leaves, ferns, bits of wood, and insects are often found trapped in amber (Hacker 237).

Nonrestrictive Elements

Because it contains nonessential or parenthetical information, a nonrestrictive element is set off with commas (Hacker 239).

For camp the children needed sturdy shoes, which were expensive (Hacker 239).

Transitional and Parenthetical Expressions, Absolute Phrases,and Constrasted Elements

Transitional expressions serve as bridges between sentences or parts of sentences (Hacker 242).

Ja'Niyah did not understand her homework; morever, she was unfamiliar with algebra.

Parenthetical expressions that are distinctly parenthetical should be set off with commas (Hacker 242).

Evolution, so far as we know, doesn't work this way (Hacker 243).

Absolute phrases should be set off with commas(Hacker 243).

Our grant having been approved, we were at last able to begin the archaeological dig (Hacker 243).

Sharp constrasts beginning with words such as not and unlike are set off with commas (Hacker 243).

Nouns of Direct Adress, Words Yes and No, Interrogative Tags, and Mild Interjections

Forgive us, Mr. Williams, for burning the Apple pie.

Yes,the doctor will probably see you now.

The film was faithful to the book, wasn't it (Hacker 244)?

Well, cases like these are difficult to decide (Hacker 244).

Direct Quotations

"Convictions are more dangerous foes of the truth than lies," wrote philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (Hacker 244).

Dates, Addresses, Titles, and Numbers

In dates, the year is set off from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas (Hacker 244).

On July 19, 2006, our LitWiki is due.

Alexis Williams was born in Macon, Georgia, in 2003.

If a title follows a name, separate it from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas (Hacker 245).

Sandra Barnes, M.D.,performed the surgery (Hacker 245).

In numbers more than four digits long, use commas to separate the numbers into groups of three, starting from the right (Hacker 245).

  • 3,500
  • 100,000
  • 500,000

Confusion

Sometimes a sentence will not make sence without a comma.

To err is human; to forgive, is divine (Hacker 245).


Links

*Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/comma/punctuation)

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.
  12 July.2006 <htt://owl.english.purdue.edu>
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