Commas and Semicolons?

Question

I hate commas and semicolons! They mess with my head!! :0)
Could you please look over these few sentences and tell me if they look okay regarding commas and semicolons? Thanks sooo much!

1) When he didn’t, the real modification in Bethany occurred.
2) Just as noone can see the errors behind a tables varnished exterior; the secrets of the kitchen created by Bethany and her husband are blanketed.
3) Bethany’s internal change occurs as she realizes that the life she is leading is in fact, shallow.
4) Although the change in her attitude is foreshadowed by her hidden secrets of candy, borrowed clothes and her expressed desire to travel, Bethany’s internal change in character is surprisingly profound.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

I know that these sentences have more mistakes than just commas and semicolons. I didn't write them! I was just curious about the commas and semicolons! Thanks for your concern, though!

Answer 1

2. Comma after 'exterior' (not semi-colon).
3. You could optionally have a comma after 'she is leading is'.

There are a few other points, though I realise you didn't ask for these:
2. Hyphen in 'no-one'. Apostrophe in "table's varnished exterior".

There shouldn't be any semi-colons in these sentences.

Answer 2

All punctuation in 1-4 is commas...no semicolons.

I also think that you need a comma before "in fact" in '#3 so it reads "she is leading is (comma = pause) in fact (comma = pause) shallow". ...but then I was also taught that you need a comma before the and in a list ("candy, borrowed clothes, and her expressed desire to travel" and I know that rule has changed (though the "old way" it is still considered correct).

BTW, sentence 1 is incomplete, sentence 2 needs to be possessive "table's" not plural "tables". Sentences 2, 3 & 4 are also passive (passive voice)...but that's another topic!

Answer 3

2) should also be a comma. Only use a semicolon when the two parts can both stand alone as a separate sentence.