human
I'm having trouble understanding the difference between a comma and semicolon. What are the differences?
assistant
A comma is used to separate clauses in a sentence, while a semicolon is used to separate independent clauses from one another. Commas can also be used to set off non-essential words or phrases within a sentence, while semicolons should only be used when necessary for clarity. Additionally, commas tend to be used more frequently than semicolons in everyday language.