If there are two independent clauses in a sentance, but one of the already has a comma, then should there be a semicolon before the conjunction?
I just got a paper back from my english teacher and this sentance is one he corected:
"Though some people believe that the death penalty is a valid punishment for those who commit the most serious crimes such as murder, the death penalty is inhumane, and no human being deserves to have their life taken away from them as punishment for a crime."
The teacher said that there should be a semicolon after "inhumane" instead of a comma becuase there is a comma after "murder."
Does his explanation make any sense?
Because I have never heard of this rule before.
I thought there is either supposed to be a comma and a conjunction, or a semicolon, but I have never heard of having a semicolon and a conjunction together.
If there are two independent clauses in a sentance, but one of the already has a comma, then should there be a semicolon before the conjunction?
I just got a paper back from my english teacher and this sentance is one he corected:
"Though some people believe that the death penalty is a valid punishment for those who commit the most serious crimes such as murder, the death penalty is inhumane, and no human being deserves to have their life taken away from them as punishment for a crime."
The teacher said that there should be a semicolon after "inhumane" instead of a comma becuase there is a comma after "murder."
Does his explanation make any sense?
Because I have never heard of this rule before.
I thought there is either supposed to be a comma and a conjunction, or a semicolon, but I have never heard of having a semicolon and a conjunction together.
If you change that comma after "inhumane" to a semicolon, you should delete the word "and." The sentence will read more smoothly if you do this, but I haven't heard of such a rule either.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
See section 2.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/semicolon.htm
http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/grammar.html
Go into Punctuation and find the sections on commas and semicolons.
http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/semicolon.htm
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/index.html
Scroll down for the Punctuation section.
=)
(Broken Link Removed)
As your teacher for a citation of the rule.
thank you very much!
I'm a senior in high school and I'm in an English V class. I'm going to go talk to my teacher about this tomorrow!
It is important to have a conversation with your teacher about this issue to get further clarification. However, based on what you have provided, it seems that your teacher may have made a mistake in correcting your sentence. Generally, when you have two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction (such as "and"), a comma is used before the conjunction. The use of a semicolon alone, without a conjunction, is typically used to separate two closely related independent clauses.
However, it is always a good idea to consult reliable grammar resources for guidance. Here are some links that provide information on the use of commas and semicolons:
1. http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
This website provides a detailed explanation of comma usage.
2. http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/semicolon.htm
This website offers information specifically about semicolon usage.
3. http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/grammar.html
This resource covers various grammar topics, including punctuation.
4. http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/semicolon.htm
This website provides a comprehensive guide to semicolon usage.
5. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/index.html
Purdue University's Online Writing Lab offers helpful grammar handouts, including sections on punctuation.
Remember that grammar rules can change depending on the context and writing style, so it's always best to consult trustworthy sources and discuss any concerns with your teacher.