Commas:
* Separate items in a list: "I bought apples, oranges, and bananas."
* Separate independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS): "The sun was shining, but it was cold."
* Set off introductory phrases and clauses: "After eating breakfast, I went for a walk."
* Separate words or phrases that modify the same noun: "The quick, brown fox jumped over the lazy dog."
Semicolons:
* Join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning: "The storm raged; the power went out."
* Separate items in a list when the items themselves contain commas: "We visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and London, England."
* Before a conjunctive adverb (e.g., however, therefore, moreover) that joins two independent clauses: "The weather was terrible; however, the show went on."
Similarities:
* Both indicate a pause within a sentence.
* Both can help clarify meaning by separating different parts of a sentence.
* Both are used in written English.
Key Difference:
* Strength of pause: Semicolons indicate a stronger pause than commas.
It's important to note that while commas and semicolons share some similarities, they are not interchangeable. Using them incorrectly can create confusion and make your writing unclear.