Transition Words and Phrases
We can go to the beach, or we can go to the mountains.
You can either ride the bus or walk to my apartment.
I like neither that person nor his brother.
Punctuation Rules
Coordinating Conjunctions (and, but, or, yet, so):
Put a comma before these conjunctions. (Don't use them at the beginning of a sentence in more formal writing.)
example: The movie has already started, but my friend has not arrived yet.
Correlative Conjunctions (These have two parts: either . . . or):
Put a comma before the second part if it connects 2 clauses (complete sentences).
example: Eric is not only an outstanding teacher, but he is also a gourmet cook.
You don't need a comma if it only connects words or phrases.
example: Eric is not only an outstanding teacher but also a gourmet cook.
Transitional Words and Phrases:
Put a comma after these if they are at the beginning of a sentence.
example: I like to travel. Specifically, I enjoy places with old cathedrals.
Use a semicolon to connect the two sentences.
example: I like to travel; specifically, I enjoy places with old cathedrals.
Use a comma before and after the transitional word/phrase in the middle of a clause.
example: I like to travel, and, specifically, I enjoy places with old cathedrals.