Even though punctuation can sometimes be confusing, this chart below should help answer some of your punctuation questions. The period The period is the proper endmark for an independent clause, which is a complete thought consisting of a subject and a verb.
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If a comma is used to connect the sentences, the result is a common sentence error called a comma splice because commas don't join sentences. Transitional Expressions Words like therefore, however, nevertheless, consequently, furthermore, and moreover are called transitional expressions or independent markers and are set off by commas. If they are used to join two independent clauses, put a semicolon before the transitional expression and a comma after the transitional expression. This juncture is often signaled by a comma. I was in for a long night of studying, so I made a pot of coffee.