My teacher was explaining how sometimes a comma isn't enough to make a sentence correct, and that sometimes you have to use a semicolon. I am having trouble figuring out when you should use which.   Can someone please explain?
83805
Is this sentence acceptable?     You’re welcome, have a nice day ahead.
7943
When I write something like this:     I am a man that is doing these things.   Is it correct to shorten it like this?     I am a man doing these things.   And does it require commas?
31962
How does one correctly use a semicolon?  It is probably one of the more difficult punctuation marks to master in my opinion.
120709
Are both of the following sentences correct?  a: You can call me, if you need me.  OR  b: You can call if you need me.  Note that in a:, the comma is placed before the "if" and is not present in case b.  From this link, I gather that it isn't necessary because it's a short sentence:   But can someone point out an "official" source on this usage?
113044
I've learned that commas must be put before and, but, so, ect. However, I came across this sentence in a reading test.      Exercise causes blood vessels to open up so blood flows more easily.   Why is there no comma before so? Must I put it there?
30590
I was once told by an English professor that a comma should never be used before but in a sentence. For years, I have followed her advice but sometimes I just feel like it just needs to be there. On the other hand, my brain also tells me that the word but is, in a sense, performing the same function as a comma in the sentence.    Does anyone know if there is a rule for this?
57294
Do I need a comma before "but"?      I like your car but it seems to me too expensive for you.   Or     I like your car, but it seems to me too expensive for you.   My native languages are Ukrainian and Russian. In these languages this comma is required.
86815
Sentence 1： I was told my work was unsatisfactory, at which point I submitted my resignation.  Sentence 2：Sometimes you may feel too frail to cope with things, in which case do them as soon as it is convenient.  I am confused with "which" in the above two sentences. Does it serve relative determiner, rather than relative pronoun? Does "which point" in the first sentence stand for "I was told my work was unsatisfactory"?Does "which case" in the second sentence stand for "sometimes you may feel too frail to cope with things"?  Thank you in advance!
15086
There is a recommendation to put a comma after an if-clause which is placed at the beginning of a sentence. For example:     If there was the time when songs like this were not needed, I would not live to see it.   But here is the sentence:     If you had married this girl you would have been wretched.   Why does it go with no comma?
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Several years ago, a previous boss told me to use a semicolon and comma with the word "however".  I've always questioned this and would like to know if the following random sentences are using the correct method.        Our plane was delayed overnight; however, the airlines reimbursed us for lodging.   It looks as though he's upset; however, she told me he always has that look on his face.   I want to find him a nice gift; however, I am a broke until payday.      Normally I would use a less "wordy" sentence in casual writing, but hopefully the example will suffice.  For example, on number 3 I would usually type:      I want to get him a nice gift, but I'm broke until payday.
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As a programmer, I have no problem with seeing or using "and/or" in technical documentation. For example,     I can upvote an answer that satisfies me and/or mark it as accepted.   That's perfectly good English to me. However, if I were writing a novel, or even just an essay, or — heaven forbid — a poem, "and/or" would seem extremely out of place.  My question is, what should I be using instead? (I solemnly swear I will not use that knowledge to actually write a poem.)
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Consider the following sentence:     In July of 2012 Jesse informed us that she was engaged to be married   and asked if she could add her fiancée to the lease,   beginning the 15th of August 2012.   Is it any more or less correct to place a comma after the first date?     In July of 2012, Jesse informed us that she was engaged to be married   and asked if she could add her fiancée to the lease,   beginning the 15th of August 2012.   Assuming one is no more correct than the other, does this change the meaning of the sentence, or is it pure style?   Bonus question: Word tells me that it's improper to place a comma after the "August" at the end of the sentence. I've always been taught that a comma should be used to separate the year from the rest of the date. Was I taught wrong, or is Word lying to me?
84230
Are semicolons required (rather than commas) in a list after a colon when the list is not bulleted? I was told that it was a rule, but I can find no authoritative prescriptive source.   Consider the example sentence below.     The following are unclear: whether a change in Rule C is regarded as a violation; whether it is possible to add conditions to rule D in Category 5 when submitting a report to the Committee; and whether Rule G and Rule H satisfy the professional requirements.    If there is no potentially confusing internal punctuation in the list elements, and if parallel construction (e.g., whether . . . whether . . . whether) shows clear demarcation, are commas not sufficient?
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Men, particularly, spend hours of their leisure time installing their own fireplaces, laying out their own gardens; building garages and making furniture.   I do not understand the use of the semicolon (";") after "gardens" in the sentence above, could someone help?   Thanks
82902
How does one correctly apply “in which”, “of which”, “at which”, “to which”, etc.?   I'm confused with which one to apply when constructing sentences around these.
67260
Help! I've read everything there is on Google re: semicolon and dash use and, whilst I understand all this, I still struggle deciding when to use a semicolon over a dash to join two independent clauses. I'm an avid endasher (from UK, so endash used more than emdash), and due to their increasing prevalence in newspapers etc, I think I'm a little desensitised to them. Consider the following:  Sorry I didn't get round to helping; it's been a difficult week Sorry I didn't get round to helping - it's been a difficult week I couldn't go to work; I was feeling too sick I couldn't go to work - I was feeling too sick I ate all the food; I was starving I ate all the food - I was starving That's not borrowing; that's stealing That's not borrowing - that's stealing  Now, I feel I say all of these aloud with some sort of emphasis, so I naturally hover over the emdash. So my question is... How do I decide whether my joining clause is dramatic enough to warrant a dash? I understand dashes are more frequent in informal writing (and, if I'm being honest, I'd find myself 'stuffy' using them in emails etc) but, regardless, I'd like to at least feel I know when the semicolon is more appropriate, even if I choose not to use it! Can anyone help? Thanks in advance!
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In the past &#8212; or at least, when I was in elementary school &#8212; periods/full stops were followed by two spaces.  Lately, it's become more and more common to see just one space.  In the modern world, should we still use two spaces between sentences, or is just one okay?  Does it depend on the situation?  Or are both acceptable, with the choice simply coming down to personal preference?