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Joey went to the mall, he bought a new suit vs joey went to the mall; he bought a new suit

Both phrases are correct, but they serve different purposes. The first phrase uses a comma to connect two independent clauses, while the second phrase uses a semicolon to do the same. The choice between a comma and a semicolon depends on the level of separation you want between the clauses.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 934 views

Joey went to the mall, he bought a new suit

This phrase is correct as it connects two independent clauses with a comma. It is a common way to link related ideas in a sentence.

Use a comma to connect two independent clauses when they are closely related and the second clause explains or adds information to the first one.

Examples:

  • She loves to read, she has a huge collection of books.
  • He enjoys playing the guitar, he practices every day.
  • They went to the beach, they had a great time.
  • A trip to the mall, mani-pedi.
  • You kids go to the mall, and I'll go rob a grave.
  • Kieran goes to the mall, sees Cara looking very much like Jennifer, and he decides to grab her.
  • She's going to the mall, it's a public place.
  • When I got to the mall, Michelle didn't come out.
  • Seriously about that day, drove out to the mall, for your birthday.
  • Maybe we could go down to the mall, hang out, grab a cheesesteak or something.
  • She wants to take me to the mall, get one of those big customized teddy bears.
  • I need to go to the mall, and you know your father now, he takes a nap in the afternoon, and I got to go.
  • You said we were going to the mall, and now I'm going to get in so much trouble.
  • There's a guy I know in the Secret Service and he was on his way to the mall, and he's gone missing.
  • Let's go to the mall, everybody!
  • If you can't take the reservation to the Mall, take the Mall to the reservation.
  • I know you brought him to the mall, but we got a picture of you... leading him out of the mall.
  • Nick Chavez, he did this story about Siamese twins getting a little cart so the big one could take the little one to the mall, and they put him in the anchor spot.
  • Why don't you head back to the mall, make sure nobody's breaking into Lady Foot Locker?
  • Now, when you shut off the lines to the mall, you also shut off the depository.
  • Okay, so right when the bell rings, we get on our bikes, go to the mall, and buy "Shaq Fu."
  • Could you at least move the protest to the mall, the Lincoln Memorial? Anywhere but in the president's backyard?
  • Are you asking if we're the type of twins that wear the same shirt to the mall, hold hands, and things like that?

Alternatives:

  • joey went to the mall and bought a new suit
  • joey went to the mall; he bought a new suit
  • After going to the mall, Joey bought a new suit
  • Joey went to the mall, where he bought a new suit
  • Joey went to the mall. He bought a new suit

joey went to the mall; he bought a new suit

This phrase is correct as it connects two independent clauses with a semicolon. It is a common way to link closely related ideas in a sentence with a slightly stronger separation than a comma.

Use a semicolon to connect two independent clauses when they are closely related but you want to give them a bit more separation than a comma would provide.

Examples:

  • She loves to read; she has a huge collection of books.
  • He enjoys playing the guitar; he practices every day.
  • They went to the beach; they had a great time.
  • I went to the mall; I couldn't decide what to buy, so I just made a gift card.
  • No, they went to the mall.
  • I went to the mall a week ago and filled out like 40 applications.
  • I went to the mall to buy "Shaq Fu," but something didn't feel right.
  • Just yesterday we went to the mall to get her mom a birthday gift.
  • But when I was 13 and I went to the mall to meet boys, it was a date.
  • I went to the mall today looking to take my mind off how lonely I am and maybe hook up with a nice guy.
  • They went to the mall and the movies with some friends.
  • It's becoming more obvious, Osama never went to the mall.
  • The whole reason we went to the mall was so she could see you.
  • They went to the mall and did these glamour photo things.
  • So I went to the mall and had pizza.
  • I drove to the mall in my car, bought a present, gave it to my mom.
  • Went to the mall with a couple of friends
  • I had an interview and I didn't have anything to wear so I went to the mall.
  • They went to the mall together.
  • This is the place where we lost them, which means they either went to the mall or back into town.
  • We went to the mall one day, and when we came back, he was gone.
  • So we went to the mall and we told a police that we had, like, lost her, that she was missing.
  • Anyway, we both had today off, and as tempting as it was to stay in bed, we went to the mall instead.

Alternatives:

  • joey went to the mall and bought a new suit
  • joey went to the mall, he bought a new suit
  • After going to the mall, Joey bought a new suit
  • Joey went to the mall, where he bought a new suit
  • Joey went to the mall. He bought a new suit

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