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There are really only two ways to use
semicolons correctly in English sentences.
Semicolons are used to combine two sentences that
are closely connected in meaning into one sentence.
Semicolons can also separate items in a complete
list when there are other punctuation marks, like
commas, used with one or more of the elements in a
list. This week we'd like to cover some common
misuses of semicolons and suggest the correct way to
punctuate the sentences as a way to discuss correct
uses of semicolons.
Lesson 1: Use commas, not semicolons,
at the end of introductory elements.
The first common misuse of semicolons
is after introductory words, phrases, or clauses.
Incorrect:
Unfortunately; Kiki is not
allowed to go to the party tonight.
Correct:
Unfortunately, Kiki is not allowed to
go to the party tonight.
When you use an introductory phrase,
do not use a semicolon after the introductory
phrase because introductory elements are not
independent clauses. Instead of using a semicolon
after the introductory phrase, use a comma.
Remember, you would use a semicolon
only between two independent clauses.
Correct: Unfortunately,
Kiki is not allowed to go to the party tonight; she
plans to sneak out of her bedroom window, however.
Lesson 2: Do not use semicolons to
introduce lists. Instead, use colons, commas,
dashes, as appropriate.
The second common misuse of a
semicolon is to introduce a list instead of using a
colon or other punctuation mark.
Incorrect:
Heidi is taking five classes this
semester; English, math, history, psychology, and
physics.
Correct:
Heidi is taking five classes this
semester: English, math, history, psychology, and
physics.
Correct:
Heidi is taking five classes this
semester, English, math, history, psychology, and
physics.
Correct:
Heidi is taking five classes this
semester—English, math, history, psychology, and
physics.
In the first sentence above the
writer tries to use a semicolon to introduce a list.
A semicolon can only be used if what appears on each
side of the semicolon is a complete sentence, so the
first example is incorrect. Lists can be introduced
with a colon, a comma, a dash, or, on occasion, no
punctuation. The first correct example uses a colon
after the complete sentence to introduce the list
that follows. You should only use a colon to
introduce a list when the introduction is a complete
sentence. The second correct example uses a comma to
introduce the list. The last correct example uses a
dash instead of a colon or comma to introduce the
list of classes (dashes are more informal than
colons). You can also use dashes to introduce a list
in the middle of the sentence (the dashes would
surround the list).
Remember that a semicolon can be used
if it is combining two complete sentences.
Correct:
Heidi is taking five classes this
semester; English, math, history, psychology, and
physics comprise her class schedule.
Lesson 3: Do not use semicolons to
separate items in a list without internal
punctuation
The last common way to misuse a
semicolon is between elements in a simple list.
Incorrect:
Lori wants a dog; a golden retriever;
a dachshund; or a cocker spaniel; a cat; a tabby; a
Siamese; or a Persian; or a snake; a boa; a python;
or a viper.
Correct:
Lori wants a dog, a golden retriever,
dachshund, or cocker spaniel; a cat, a tabby,
Siamese, or Persian; or a snake, a boa, python, or
viper.
In this list there are two categories
of elements: a more general category of animals
(dog, cat, and snake) and a more specific category
(golden retriever, Persian, etc.) within that large
category. See how the semicolons are used to
distinguish between the more general animals, while
the commas are used in between the different breeds.
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The
Author
Paige
Ruschhaupt is pursuing a degree in psychology and has
tutored in the Academic Center since January 2008. She is
CRLA certified at level two (advanced).
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References
Scharton,
Maurice, & Janice Neuleib. Things Your Grammar Never Told
You (2nd Ed.). New York: Pearson Education, 2001
Kolln, Martha. Rhetorical Grammar.
Pennsylvania State University, 2007.
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