Rule #1

Two sentences cannot be separated by a comma. They need a full-stop.

I slept, I ate. = run-on

I slept. I ate. = correct

Rule #2
The ‘supermarket list’ doesn’t need a comma when you use ‘and’.
I bought eggs and milk.

Rule #3
There are lots of ways of putting two sentences together with linking words.

I slept, and I ate. = compound

I slept, but I ate.
I slept, so I ate.

Rule #3b

I slept because I ate. Other words in the because group:

NB: Because I ate, I slept. although / whereas / while / if / when / since /
= also okay as / unless / even though / until / though

I slept. However, I ate. Other words in the .However, group: .

In addition, / . Moreover, / . Thus, / . On the
other hand, / .
Nevertheless, / .Therefore, / .Conversely, /.
Also, / . Nowadays, / . Currently, / . In my
opinion, / . Suddenly, / . In conclusion, / .
Therefore,

Rule #4
Adverbs at the beginning of a sentence need a comma.
TIME, In the morning, I ate breakfast.
PLACE, At the polytechnic, I study.
FIRSTLY, Firstly, the sugar is added.
HOW, In this way, please write.
WHY, To be ready, she walked to school at 8am.

Please note that the following are also okay:

I ate breakfast in the morning.
I study at the polytechnic.
 Please write in this way.
She walked to school at 8am to be ready.

Rule #5
Other phrases:
They taught a lot of things, for example, A levels, AS levels and IGCSEs.

They taught a lot of things. For example, they taught A levels, AS levels and IGCSEs.

They taught a lot of things, such as A levels, AS levels and IGCSEs.

They taught a lot of things, like A levels, AS levels and IGCSEs.

My favorite subject, which I am not taking this semester, is maths.