Show:
Conjunction Terms
Correct, Incorrect, and Why
Comma or No Comma
Semicolon, Comma, or Not and Where?
Dependent or Independent Clause
100
Therefore, However, As a Matter of Fact, Meanwhile, Otherwise
What are adverbial conjunctions--THAMOs? Use these to join independent clauses.
100
John decided to go to the movie, I went to a skating party.
Incorrect; comma splice
100
I want to bake a cake yet my friends want to bake cupcakes.
A comma (,) is needed after "cake." This a a compound sentence. IC, + FANBOYS IC
100
Life is really hard for me right now, however, I expect that things will change soon.
A semicolon (;) should be placed after "now," and a comma (,) should be placed after "however." This is a compound sentence. IC; + IC
100
John went home yesterday.
Independent Clause IC
200
Conjunctions that connect words, phrases, and clauses (FANBOYS)
What are coordinating conjunctions?
200
Since the movie theater closed, John decided to go to the skating party.
Correct; A complex sentence ("Since" is the subordinating conjunction) DC, + IC
200
Let's go to the store and get the ingredients for the cake.
No comma (,) is required. This is a simple sentence. IC
200
Charles will not be able to attend the football game since his family will be going out of town.
A semicolon (;) nor a comma (,) is required. This is a complex sentence. IC + DC
200
Before the pep assembly and the game
Dependent Clause DC
300
Since, When, Although, Because, If
What are subordinating conjunctions--SWABIS?
300

Emily said she wanted to sing a solo; however, her friends laughed at her because they thought she sang badly.

Correct; The adverbial conjunction (however) needs a semicolon before it and a comma after it. This is a complex-compound sentence. IC; + IC + DC

300
Since you're heading to the store please get some sugar.
A comma (,) is required after "store." This is a complex sentence. DC, + IC
300
The car was severely damaged in the crash; consequently, the passenger was badly hurt.
A semicolon (;) should be placed after "crash", and a comma should be placed after "consequently." This is a compound sentence. IC; + IC
300
Anne went to work out at the gym.
Independent Clause IC
400
Conjunctions that begin complex sentences by joining a dependent clause to an independent one
What are subordinating conjunctions?
400
You can help clean out the car or clean your room.
Correct; There is not an independent clause after the word "OR." This is not a compound sentence.
400
When the movie is over I have to go straight home.
A comma (,) is required after "over." This is a complex sentence. DC, + IC
400
Finally the siblings were able to meet each other after one of them was given up for adoption.
A comma is needed after "finally." This is a complex sentence. IC + DC
400
Although she was tired and she needed to walk the dog
Dependent Clause DC
500
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
What are coordinating conjunctions--FANBOYS?
500
Suddenly, I saw a streak of light in the sky so it must have been a shooting star.
incorrect; There should be a comma after sky. This is a compound sentence. "SO" is one of the FANBOYS.
500
James and his friend don't have to go home after the movie is over.
No comma (,) is required. This is a complex sentence. IC + DC
500
There was a drought in Oklahoma meanwhile, Louisiana was dealing with severe flooding.
A semicolon (;) should be placed after "Oklahoma," and a comma (,)should be placed after "meanwhile." This is a compound sentence. IC; + IC
500
Even before the hurricane, the loss of power and the flooding
Dependent Clause