When should you use a semicolon instead of a comma in a complex sentence?

When should you use a semicolon instead of a comma in a complex sentence?

A semicolon should be used instead of a comma in a complex sentence when there are two independent clauses that are closely related and could stand alone as separate sentences, but the writer wants to emphasize their connection. The semicolon acts as a stronger punctuation mark than a comma, indicating a closer relationship between the two clauses. It is often used to avoid confusion or ambiguity in the sentence structure.