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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 • 950 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.

Show examples from the web [+]

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.

Show examples from the web [+]

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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