In this video, we discuss an alternative approach to connecting two independent clauses using a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
While semicolons are not as popular as they were in decades past, they’re an excellent option for combining independent clauses. However, you need to add one more element to your sentence—a transitional expression.
Learn the ins and outs of this technique and you’re sure to look like an educated professional.
I know you can do it!
Hello, Jane Cleveland here to talk about connecting two independent clauses with a comma and a semicolon.
Let me explain how this works, because this is an important comma usage and it revolves around what is called a transitional expression. An independent clause could be a sentence. Independent clause could be a sentence on its own, but I want to connect them with something that is not a BOYS FAN (a coordinating conjunction).
There are seven coordinating conjunctions: but, or, yet, so, for, and, nor.
Some transitional expressions include: however, therefore, nonetheless, although.
The way it works is:
Independent clause + semicolon + transitional expression + comma + independent clause
Example:
“I wanted to go to the party; however, my car died.”
Now, probably most of us would say “I wanted to go to the party, but my car died” and that’s fine, but if you want to use a transitional expression, you put a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
And that’s how you connect two independent clauses with a transitional expression.
I know you can do it!
*Transcripts are software-generated. To report any transcription errors, please use my contact form!
