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The joining comma is only slightly different from the listing comma. It
is
used to join two complete sentences into a single sentence, and it must be
followed by a suitable connecting word. The connecting words which can be
used in this way are and, or, but, while and yet. Here are some examples:
- Norway has applied to join the EC, and Sweden is expected to do the
same.
- You must hand in your essay by Friday, or you will receive a mark of
zero.
- Britain has long been isolated in Europe, but now she is beginning to
find allies.
- Billions of dollars have been hurled into the Star Wars projects, yet we
appear to have nothing to show for this colossal expenditure.
- A dropped goal counts three points in rugby union, while in rugby
league it only counts one point.
Remember, as I pointed out earlier, you cannot join two
sentences with a comma unless you also use one of these connecting words.
All of the following examples are therefore wrong:
- *Bangladesh is one of the world's poorest countries, its annual income
is only $80 per person.
- *The British are notoriously bad at learning foreign languages, the
Dutch are famously good at it.
- *The proposal to introduce rock music to Radio 3 has caused an
outcry, angry letters have been pouring into the BBC.
- *Borg won his fifth straight Wimbledon title in 1980, the following year
he lost in the final to McEnroe.
Joining two complete sentences with a comma in this way is one of the
commonest of all punctuation errors, but one of the easiest to avoid if you pay
a
little attention to what you're writing. Either you must follow the comma with
one of the connecting words listed above, or you must replace the comma with
a semicolon.
Note also that most other connecting words cannot be preceded by a
joining comma. For example, the connecting words however, therefore, hence,
consequently, nevertheless and thus cannot be used after a
joining comma.
Hence the following examples are also wrong:
- *Saturn was long thought to be the only ringed planet, however, this is
now known not to be the case.
- *Two members of the expedition were too ill to continue, nevertheless
the others decided to press on.
- *Liverpool are five points behind the leaders, therefore they must win
both their remaining games.
Sentences like these once again require, not a comma, but
a semicolon.
The rule is again easy:
- • Use a joining comma to join two complete sentences with
one of the words and, or, but, yet or while.
Do not
use a joining comma in any other way.