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Commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes can all be used to link two independent clauses to produce a compound sentence. The nature of the bond determines which of these markers is used. From a Pubrica grammarian’s perspective, there are four forms of bonding material—coordinate conjunctions, adverbs, transitional phrases, and punctuation alone—and the rules are:

IND, coordinate conjunction IND. [A comma precedes the conjunction.]

IND; adverb [,1 [A semicolon precedes the adverb; a comma usually follows the adverb.] IND; transitional expression,

IND. [A semicolon precedes the transitional expression; a comma follows the transitional phrase.]

IND; IND. or IND: IND. or IND—IND. [semicolons, colons, or dashes may directly join Independent causes.]

The following Proof reading paragraphs explain these rules and provide examples.

When a coordinate conjunction unites separate sentences—and, 6144 for, nor, or, so, yet—the conjunction is preceded by a comma. When both sentences are brief, and there is no risk of readers misinterpreting which components are linked by the conjunction, the comma may be removed.

• Ten persons were injured in minor ways, while at least twenty residences along the creek were inundated.
• Ten persons were hurt, but all were released from the hospital by the end of the night.
• Ten persons were hurt, and twenty residences were destroyed.

When an adverb joins two separate sentences (e.g., although, indeed, furthermore, nonetheless, thus, so), a semicolon comes before the adverb. A comma is generally inserted after the adverb; however, when the transition is not sudden, and no emphasis is intended, the comma may be removed after thus or hence.

The prosecution will challenge the videotape’s removal; nevertheless, courts seldom overrule trial judges on evidentiary concerns.

• The videotape confession is crucial to the prosecution’s case; the government’s entire case is predicated on the defendant’s confession.
• Because the videotape is critical to the prosecution’s case, the prosecutor is appealing the tape’s exclusion.

• Pitfall: Run-on sentences. Only in the uncommon instance of a trio of short independent sentences with the same grammatical subject

  He arrived, he saw, and he conquered. Can separate clauses be united only by a comma? [Note, however, that if the series has only two separate sentences, they cannot be connected only by a comma: X He arrived and saw. Instead, a semicolon must separate these phrases; He arrived and saw. Or He came and saw.]

  Please read the instructions, fill out the form, and return it to the primary office. [Because the “implied person” of an imperative is always “you,” there is no subject shift here. A comma is required when two clauses are in the series: X. Fill out the form after reading the instructions.]

  APPENDING A LIST TO AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

  When an independent clause introduces a list, a colon follows the independent clause

  Pitfiill: Misuse of the colon before a series. As previously stated, the colon begins a series that follows an independent clause. When the initial sentence contains a phrase like “the following,” a colon is also used to introduce a series: Scorers must bring a pencil, paper, and a timer.

  In all other cases, however, no colon precedes the list.

  X Scorers are asked to bring: a pencil, a pad, and a stopwatch.

  X Patients should: arrive by 10 A.m., check in at the desk, and go directly to the laboratory.

  X The advertising campaign is aimed at preteens, adolescents, and young adults.

  In rare cases, the independent clause and the list may be reversed:

  X A glass of iced tea, a peach, and an apple: his last meal was spartan and brief.

  JOINING DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT CLAUSES

  A dependent clause cannot function as a complete sentence on its own, therefore, the capacity of the punctuator to discriminate between two types of dependent clauses is essential in conventional punctuation.

• A restrictive clause is necessary for the sentence’s overall meaning because it restricts the meaning or scope of the independent clause.
• A nonrestrictive clause is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence as a whole; it might be removed without altering the meaning of the phrase.

In contrast, when the independent phrase before the because the clause is affirmative, the presence or absence of a comma causes a modest shift in emphasis. A comma emphasizes the claim, whereas the lack of a comma emphasizes the reason:

Because the minutes are only searchable by record number, all citations to committee meeting minutes must contain both the five-digit record number and the date.

The third test findings are invalid since the procedure was not followed.

PUNCTUATING RELATIVE CLAUSES

Relative clauses are dependent clauses that are headed by a relative pronoun (that, who, which), a relative adjective (whose), or a relative adverb (when, where).

Clauses and the restrictive-nonrestrictive distinction also apply to them. Here are some limiting relative clause examples:

• Dogs with three legs require specialized medical attention. [This section limits “dogs” to those with three legs.]
• Adults who are functionally illiterate encounter several challenges. [The whom clause limits “adults” to functionally illiterate adults.]
• She rejected all of his unrealistic recommendations. [This sentence limits “all of his recommendations” to those that were unworkable.]

Here are some examples of nonrestrictive relative clauses:

• Dogs are related to wolves and foxes and are members of the canine family. [Which clause makes a statement applicable to all dogs?]
• Individuals may file their federal tax forms electronically, which are due on April 15. [Which provision makes a statement accurate of all federal tax returns filed by individuals?]
• Relative clauses that operate as appositives—that is, they rename the subject or add additional information about an identifiable subject3—are always nonrestrictive.

As the example sentences show, commas separate nonrestrictive clauses, but restrictive clauses are not. For example, many usage guidelines advocate using that” to signify a restricted clause and reserving “which” for nonrestrictive clauses, lest the presence or absence of a comma is too subtle an indication of the restrictive or nonrestrictive character of the relative phrase. Compare:

• Senator Smith is against additional state taxes that would raise the cost of doing business in California. [This section restricts “new state taxes” to those that would affect companies.]
• Senator Jones is opposed to additional state taxes that would raise the cost of conducting business in Maine. [The nonrestrictive provision specifies that all additional state taxes “raise the cost of conducting business.”]