Gathering of the Figments

Figment

From: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/

A group of words containing a subject and a verb and expressing a complete thought is called a sentence or an independent clause. Sometimes, an independent clause stands alone as a sentence, and sometimes two independent clauses are linked together into what is called a compound sentence. Depending on the circumstances, one of two different punctuation marks can be used between the independent clauses in a compound sentence: a comma or a semicolon. The choice is yours.

Comma (,)
Use a comma after the first independent clause when you link two independent clauses with one of the following coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. For example:

I am going home, and I intend to stay there.
It rained heavily during the afternoon, but we managed to have our picnic anyway.

They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark, so they decided to camp for the night.

Semicolon ( ; )
Use a semicolon when you link two independent clauses with no connecting words. For example:

I am going home; I intend to stay there.
It rained heavily during the afternoon; we managed to have our picnic anyway.

They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark; they decided to camp for the night.

You can also use a semicolon when you join two independent clauses together with one of the following conjunctive adverbs (adverbs that join independent clauses): however, moreover, therefore, consequently, otherwise, nevertheless, thus, etc. For example:

I am going home; moreover, I intend to stay there.
It rained heavily during the afternoon; however, we managed to have our picnic anyway.

They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark; therefore, they decided to camp for the night.

For more information about compound sentence patterns, see the Purdue OWL handout on Sentence Punctuation Patterns.

We have two interactive exercises available for practice: you can try commas vs. semicolons exercise 1, or commas vs. semicolons exercise 2.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/interact/g_commacompEX1.html

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/interact/g_commacompEX2.html
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Rainfallen · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject:

Thank you for posting this. It was very helpful. Very Happy

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Walk
In the rain

Hawkins · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:19 pm Post subject:

Owl?...
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Tyler's on vacation...to CANADA...*sad*

marianas · The Scarlet Pimpernel Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 435

pommie42 · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 2:32 pm Post subject:

That could well be the reason why my spell checker hates me so much... or at least one of the reasons.
It is always telling me to add in semi colons...

Edit: maybe not the only reason... I have highlighted where I made errors in the above post.
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It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.

The Dragon's Lair!!

Hawkins · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject:

Pommie is tired. It's late in Aussie-world.

RATHER ADMIN WORLD; WHICH I HATE.
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Tyler's on vacation...to CANADA...*sad*

pommie42 · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:05 pm Post subject:

Actually it's not. It's 11.05am.
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It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.

The Dragon's Lair!!

Hawkins · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject:

Oh. Well then he's just insane.
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Tyler's on vacation...to CANADA...*sad*