Use semicolons to separate two closely related independent clauses (complete ideas/sentences). A semicolon is stronger than a comma, but not quite as strong as a period. Coordinating conjunctions are generally not used if a semicolon is present. The pattern for this type of usage is [complete sentence + ; + complete sentence].

Ex: Twelve workers started the project; only five remain.
Ex: I mowed the grass for several hours yesterday; it was so high that I had to go over it twice.

**EXCEPTION: There may be a situation in which a semicolon can clarify a sentence even if the independent clauses are joined with a conjunction. This choice is usually made if one or both of the clauses contain commas.

Ex: When I eat alone, I leave a mess; but that's not the worst of it.

Use a semicolon when connecting two independent clauses that have a conjunctive adverb (transition word) between them. The pattern for this type of usage is [complete sentence + ; + conjunctive adverb (transition) + , + complete sentence].

Ex: The final exam is expected to be very difficult; therefore, you should spend a few extra hours studying.

Use a semicolon as a “super comma” to separate items in a list whose individual elements contain commas.

Ex: My brothers were born on November 10, 1946; December 7, 1947; and October 31, 1950.

Ex: His family has lived in Austin, Texas; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Denver, Colorado.

For additional information on semicolons, visit the Academic Center handout Using Semicolons Correctly.

1. It rained heavily during the afternoon, however, we managed to have our picnic anyway.

2. He went outside to check the mail; but someone had already taken it from the mailbox.

3. Today we will discuss semicolons, including rules for when to use them and when not to use them and examples, review the colon and its functions, and complete an in-class exercise covering semi-colons, colons, and commas.

Answers

1. It rained heavily during the afternoon; however, we managed to have our picnic anyway.

2. He went outside to check the mail, but someone had already taken it from the mailbox.

3. Today we will discuss semicolons, including rules for when to use them and when not to use them and examples; review the colon and its functions; and complete an in-class exercise covering semicolons, colons, and commas.

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

Subscribe/Unsubscribe/View Archive