When to use a comma before and, or, so, or but

A conjunction is a word that is used to connect two sentences without using a semicolon or a full stop.

Copyright: Dwayne Hards.

You should always use a comma before certain conjunctions — including and, or, so, or but — if you are using them to connect two independent sentences as long as it makes sense to your readers.

You should always use a comma before and when it connects two independent sentences; for example, I went to the bar, and I bought myself a lemonade. You should always use a comma before and in situations similar to this because you are using the conjunction — and — to connect two separate sentences. However, you should not use a comma before and if you aren't using it to connect two separate sentences; for example, I went to the bar and bought myself a lemonade.

You should always use a comma before or if it connects two independent questions; for example, would you like to go to the cinema, or would you like to go to Gatwick Airport? You should always use a comma in situations similar to this because you are using or to connect two separate questions However, you shouldn't use a comma before or if it isn't being used to connect two independent questions; for example, would you like to go to the cinema or Gatwick Airport?

You should always use a comma before but if it is being used to connect two separate sentences; for example, I like you as a friend, but I don't like you romantically. You should always use a comma in situations similar to this because you are using but to connect two separate sentences. However, you should not use a comma before but if you aren't using it to join two separate sentences; for example, learning is difficult but incredibly rewarding.

You should always use a comma before so if it is being used to connect two separate sentences; for example, I wanted a new Nike bag, so I went to JD Sports to buy one. You should always use a comma before so in situations similar to this because you are using so to connect two separate sentences. However, you should not use a comma before so if you aren't using it to connect two separate sentences; for example, I hopped on the 700 bus to JD Sports so that I could get myself a new Nike bag.

You can use a semicolon instead of a conjunction if your intentions are clear to your readers. You can also use a full stop instead of a conjunction as long as your intentions are clear to your readers, but you will need to use a capital letter for the first letter of each sentence; however, this capital letter rule does not apply with semicolons.