Joining and Separating Sentences Periods, Semicolons, and Comma + FANBOYS

Three Ways to Separate Sentences Period Semicolon Comma + coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

A period = A semicolon Separating two independent clauses. Both could stand alone. Lowercase second clause if using a semicolon. There is a penguin on our front porch. He seems friendly. There is a penguin on our front porch; he seems friendly. COMMA SPLICE- There is a penguin on our front porch, he seems friendly.

Conjunctive Adverbs Let’s just call these “STRONG TRANSITIONAL WORDS” However, therefore, thus, consequently, moreover, nevertheless, meanwhile, instead When they begin a clause, these transitions should NEVER FOLLOW A COMMA

Examples INCORRECT- Mr. Salyer has excellent perimeter defense, however, his outside shot needs major improvement. CORRECT- Mr. Salyer has excellent perimeter defense ; however, his outside shot needs major improvement. CORRECT- Mr. Salyer has excellent perimeter defense. However, his outside shot needs major improvement.

Comma + FANBOYS ACT primarily tests and + but, so and yet rarely, and or and nor almost never. NEED THE COMMA or it is a run-on sentence Run-on- Mr. Salyer may be short and have a ginger beard but he is not a leprechaun.

More bad examples Don’t use FANBOYS conjunctions after a PERIOD or SEMICOLON. Incorrect- I’m a huge fan of Pizza Hut. And I especially enjoy their stuffed-crust pizza. Incorrect- I’m a huge fan of Pizza Hut; and I especially enjoy their stuffed-crust pizza.

Subject the same in both clauses When the subject is the same in both clauses, but the subject IS NOT REPEATED in the second clause, DON’T USE A COMMA. Incorrect- Mr. Salyer plans to work on his perimeter shot this summer, and thinks he can be a dominant force next year in the Friday morning faculty games. Correct- Leave out the COMMA… or Mr. Salyer plans to work on his perimeter shot this summer, and HE thinks…

COMMA SPLICES Using a comma to connect two independent clause (INCORRECT!) Clause 1- LeBron James seems to have stepped up his game recently. Clause 2- The Cavaliers now seem to be a true championship contender. COMMA SPLICE- LeBron James seems to have stepped up his game recently, the Cavaliers now seem to be a true championship contender. Use a PERIOD after 1 st clause. Use a SEMICOLON after 1 st clause. Use a COMMA + FB after 1 st clause.

Fixed Examples LeBron James seems to have stepped up his game recently. The Cavaliers now look like a true championship contender. LeBron James seems to have stepped up his game recently ; the Cavaliers now look like a true championship contender. LeBron James seems to have stepped up his game recently, and the Cavaliers now look like a true championship contender. LeBron James seems to have stepped up his game recently ; consequently, the Cavaliers now look like a true championship contender.