There are three ways to separate two complete sentences from one another:

1. Period

2. Semicolon

3. Common + Conjunction

Period = Semicolon

For the most part, periods and semicolons are grammatically identical: both are used to separate two complete sentences from one another. Additionally, the first letter after a period is capitalized, while the first letter after a semicolon is not capitalized.

• She loves to read books; he prefers to watch movies.

• She finished her homework. She decided to take a break.

Periods and semicolons are used in the SAT Writing and Language section to indicate the end of a sentence or to separate two independent clauses, respectively.

Transitions

Certain transitions are considered strong enough to begin a sentence. The SAT tests you on these transitions so its important to know them well

• however

• therefore

• thus

• consequently

• moreover

• nevertheless

When used to being a clause, these transitions should always follow a period or semicolon, never a comma.

Comma + Coordinating Conjunction

• As a student, it is important to understand the proper use of punctuation in writing.

• One commonly used punctuation mark is the comma, which is often used to separate items in a list or to separate clauses in a sentence.

• When two independent clauses are joined together, a comma and a coordinating conjunction are used. Coordinating conjunctions include words such as "for," "and," "nor," "but," "or," "yet," and "so."

• For instance, consider the following example: "I went to the store, and I bought some milk." In this sentence, the independent clauses are "I went to the store" and "I bought some milk."

  • The coordinating conjunction "and" is used to join these two clauses together.

• It is important to note that the placement of the comma is crucial in this type of sentence structure. If the comma is not used correctly, it can lead to confusion or ambiguity. For example, consider the sentence: "I went to the store and bought some milk." In this sentence, the lack of a comma creates a run-on sentence which can be confusing for the reader.

When a FANBOYS conjunction is used without a comma, it can create a run-on sentence.

• Run-on sentences are also known as fused sentences.

• A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions.

• Run-on sentences can be corrected by adding a comma and a coordinating conjunction, using a semicolon, or separating the clauses into separate sentences.

• Run-on sentences can make a passage difficult to read and understand.

• The SAT Writing and Language section tests students on their ability to identify and correct run-on sentences.

Examples of Run on sentences

• I woke up early this morning I went for a run.

• She loves to read books she can finish a novel in a day.

• The movie was really good I would definitely watch it again.

• He didn't study for the test he knew he would fail.

• I need to go to the grocery store I'm out of milk and bread.

You can also think of a rule to avoid these mistakes: because comma + and = period, simply replace comma + and with a period, and see if you have two complete sentences.

Comma Splices

When a comma alone is used to separate two independent clauses, the result is known as a comma splice.

Comma splices occur when two independent clauses are joined together with only a comma. This is considered a grammatical error and can be corrected by either using a semicolon, a period, or a coordinating conjunction (such as "and" or "but") to properly connect the two clauses.

On the SAT, many comma splices involve second clauses that begin with pronouns. There are multiple ways to fix comma splices, and the SAT does not prefer any specific way. Below are some examples:

• Incorrect: Tomatoes were originally small and multicolored, they are mostly large and red today.

• Correct: Tomatoes were originally small and multicolored. they are mostly large and red today.

• Correct: Tomatoes were originally small and multicolored'; they are mostly large and red today.