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Sentence Combination
You have four options for combining two complete sentences:

1. comma and a conjunction ("and," "but," "or," "for," or "yet")

2. semicolon and a transitional adverb, like "therefore," "moreover," or "thus"

3. semicolon (;)

4. colon (:)

The appropriate option(s) depend upon the context.

1. Comma + Conjunction

When combining two complete sentences with a conjunction ("and," "but," "or," "for," or "yet"),
precede the conjunction with a comma.

Example: Still, the sun is slowly getting brighter and hotter, and it will eventually enter the red giant
phase.

2. Semicolon + Transitional Adverb

Transitional adverbs can connect and transition between two complete sentences. They include
words like the following:

 therefore

 however

 moreover

 thus

 meanwhile

 thereafter

 indeed

 instead

 consequently

 eventually

 finally

 still

 besides

Precede the transitional adverb with a semicolon and follow it with a comma.
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Example: These texts were used personally by the researcher; thus, these books were purchased at
different stages of her learning process.

3. Semicolon

Semicolons can combine two complete sentences (without a conjunction) when the sentences are
closely related and it would make sense to combine the sentences with "and."

Example: The chapter ends as soon as Ahmad’s mission does; in the next chapter titled “Sweet
Home,” the war has ended, and Jimmy has gone back to his beloved home town.

4. Colon

Colons connect two complete sentences when the second sentence completes, explains, or
illustrates the idea in the first sentence.

Example: A fully prescriptive approach may be harmful in this type of situation: prescriptive
language could keep readers abiding by and enforcing prescriptive rules in all contexts to avoid being
“wrong,” “unprofessional,” or “illogical,” even when there is no such risk.

Some useful Tips: If two complete sentences appear next to each other without separating
punctuation and/or a connecting word, they are called run-ons. You have three ways to fix a run-on
sentence:

Example: The Great Red Spot is a giant hurricane on Jupiter | it has existed for over 400 years.

1. Add a conjunction and a comma.

Example: The Great Red Spot is a giant hurricane on Jupiter, and it has existed for over 400 years.

2. Insert a semicolon (;), if it makes sense to combine the sentences with "and."

Example: The Great Red Spot is a giant hurricane on Jupiter; it has existed for over 400 years.

3. Insert a period and make two separate sentences.

Example: The Great Red Spot is a giant hurricane on Jupiter. It has existed for over 400 years.

If two complete sentences appear next to each other and are only combined by a comma, they are
called comma splices. You have three ways to fix a comma splice:

Example: Many children played on the Salman’s property, | Samina was often on their side against
the adult order.

1. Add “and” or another conjunction after the comma.

Example: Many children played on the Salman’s property, and Samina was often on their side
against the adult order.

2. Replace the comma with a semicolon (;).

Example: Many children played on the Salman’s property; Samina was often on their side against the
adult order.

3. Replace the comma with a period and making two separate sentences.

Example: Many children played on the Salman’s property. Samina was often on their side against the
adult order.