1. Use Commas… to separate items in a series
We can meet before English class, during lunch, or after school.
to separate 2+ adjectives before a noun
Lucia is an intelligent, thoughtful, responsible student.
before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when it joins independent clauses
Amy followed the recipe carefully, for she had never made pumpkin pie before.
Jerry went to the store for egg, but he bought cookies, ice cream, and nuts instead.
There is a new socially accepted rule that you do not need the last comma…we are going to use that last comma. Most professors expect you to stick to original grammar/linguistics.
If all are listed with and/or/nor then you don’t need a comma (I want this and this and this and this…)
Generally comma is not placed before/after series (NOT—I’ll meet Ali, Bob, and Jill, tommorrow after school
The comma may be omitted before “and, but, nor, or” if the independent clauses are very short and if the sentence is not awkward or unclear without it.
CLEAR—The phone ran and I answered it.
CLEAR—We can go in the morning or we can leave now.
UNCLEAR—The teacher called on Maria and John began to answer (you need the comma or else ir may be interpreted that Maria and John were called on and answered)

2. Use Commas
to set off nonessential subordinate clauses and an expression that interrupts a sentence.
Marie Curie, who studied radioactivity, won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1911.
Cole, my oldest nephew, plays the harmonica.
after certain introductory elements.
Exhausted, the scouts took a break.
In the first round of the gold tournament, I played against one of the best golfers in the state.
Also, make sure to use a comma after two or more introductory prepositional phrases, or after a long on. (2 phrases in example provided).
Long on—In the secret chamber called “the crystal keep,” the heroine found the missing map.
This is similar to the first rule…just make sure to have a comma if it doesn’t really seem to make sense.

3. Use a semicolon…
between independent clauses that are closely related in thought, and that are not joined by a coordinating conjunction.
Owning a dog is a big responsibility; a dog requires training, grooming, and regular exercise.
between independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression.
Commonly used Conjunctive Adv.: accordingly, however, moreover, besides, indeed, nevertheless, consequently, meanwhile, furthermore, therefore, otherwise.
Commonly used Transitional Expressions: in other words, for example, for instance, as a result, in fact, that is
Major issue is people putting a semicolon simply because they see two independent clauses…DON’T DO THAT! only put one for 2 independent clause if they are close in nature as to the topic.
Ex: The snowfall made travelling difficult; nevertheless, we arrive home safely.
2 independent clauses still close in nature, connected through use of adverb (or transitional expression)
Conjunctive adv.--an adverb that connects two independent clauses. Conjunctive adverbs show cause and effect, sequence, contrast, comparison, or other relationships.

4. Use a semicolon…
between items in a series if the items contain commas.
The collection of short stories includes “The Circuit,” by Francisco Jimenez; “The Iguana Killer,” by Alberto Rios; and “Everybody knows Tobie,” by Daniel Garza.
Use semicolon ONLY to prevent misreading. If the sentence is clear without that semicolon, do not put one simply because the clauses contain commas.
EX: :Lana, you are the best musician I know, and you’re a great dancer too.

5. BE AWARE
A semicolon (rather than a comma) may be needed before a coordinating conjunction to join independent clauses that contain commas.
EX: I wanted to register for biology, volleyball, and conventional Spanish; but only calculus, golf, and intermediate German were available during late registration.

6. Write down the sentence using a comma or semicolon
Write down the sentence using a comma or semicolon. Circle the comma/semicolon used.
Since water is deeper than it looks good speak fishers aim below rather than at their apparent targets.
Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin who won a 1964 Nobel Prize determined the molecular structure of vitamin B 12.
Yes a cold crisp salad with a sweet-and-sour dressing would taste good on a hot muggy day like this.
If a fish underwater sees you on a pier you probably look as though you are higher than you really are.
Gregor Mendel known for his experiments with garden peas formulated the basic laws of heredity.
The Navajo make up the second-largest group of American Indians in the United States only the Cherokee have more members than the Navajo.

7. Since water is deeper than it looks, good speak fishers aim below rather than at their apparent targets.
Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, who won a 1964 Nobel Prize, determined the molecular structure of vitamin B 12.
Yes a cold, crisp salad with a sweet-and-sour dressing would taste good on a hot, muggy day like this.
If a fish underwater sees you on a pier, you probably look as though you are higher than you really are.
Gregor Mendel, known for his experiments with garden peas, formulated the basic laws of heredity.
The Navajo make up the second-largest group of American Indians in the United States; only the Cherokee have more members than the Navajo.