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Every way to join two sentences

A period or one of the five structures, and how to pick the one that says what you mean.

You have two complete sentences and want to connect them. First ask whether they should be joined at all: if the ideas are only loosely related, a period is the right answer. If they belong together, ask how. To name the link with a small everyday word (and, but, so), use a comma plus a FANBOYS word (Structure #1). If the link is obvious and you'd rather not name it, a semicolon alone (Structure #2) says "these two go together." To name the link formally (however, therefore, consequently), use a semicolon, the conjunctive adverb, and a comma (Structure #3). To make one idea depend on the other, as a reason, a time, or a condition, put a subordinator on it: in the middle with no comma (Structure #4), or up front with a comma after its clause (Structure #5). A comma alone, or nothing at all, is never a legal join: that is a comma splice or a run-on.

Don't join them

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A clause that has a subject and a verb, expresses a complete thought, and can stand alone as a sentence.

Example

The bus was late. We walked.

Two of these can always stand as two sentences, each with its own period.

Keep both ideas equal

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One of the seven joining words (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) that link two grammatically equal elements.

Example

The bus was late, so we walked.

Structure

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A semicolon used alone to join two closely related independent clauses.

Example

The bus was late; we walked.

Structure

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An adverb (like however or therefore) that connects two independent clauses, usually after a semicolon.

Example

The bus was late; therefore, we walked.

Structure

Make one idea depend on the other

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A word (like because or although) that turns a clause into a dependent clause.

Example

We walked because the bus was late. / Because the bus was late, we walked.

Structure

Choosing between legal joins

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Joining two independent clauses with only a comma, which isn't strong enough for the job.

Example

The bus was late, we walked.

The join that looks legal and isn't, a comma with nothing else.