Using Semicolons Correctly
Click Here to Begin
There are two main rules we will focus on
in order to learn how to correctly use
semicolons.
Click the arrow next to the rule you would like to learn about.
Rule 1: Linking 2 independent clauses
Rule 2: Separating a series that contains commas already
COMPLETE
Sentence
The two independent
clauses, which could
stand alone as their own
sentences, are joined by a
semicolon only.
;
COMPLETE
Sentence
Rule #1:
Use a semicolon when you link 2
independent clauses, or complete sentences,
without adding connecting words.
Here’s how it works:
EX: Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle. Her toy poodle
balances in a basket between the handlebars.
(These are two independent clauses that could stand alone as their own sentences)
To use a semicolon in order to combine these sentences:
Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle
basket between the handlebars.
To combine these
sentences, take out the
period, add a semicolon,
and make the ‘h’ in her
lower-case.
;
her toy poodle balances in a
Rule #1: :
Use a semicolon when you link 2
independent clauses, or complete sentences, without
adding connecting words.

Semicolons combine two independent
clauses and reduce the pause between the
two complete thoughts.

They do this WITHOUT using words
such as and, but, nor, or yet.
Rule #1:
Semicolons are used to link two
independent clauses , or complete sentences,
without adding connecting words.
My aunt also has a lab
This is an
independent clause.
It could stand alone
as its own sentence.
;
she loves to take her on
walks
This is an
independent clause.
It could stand alone
as its own sentence.
.
DO NOT use semicolon with a conjunction
(Words like: and, but, or, nor, for, so yet)
Ex: My aunt’s lab is
magnificent, but I have no
desire to be a dog owner.
A semicolon is NOT used here
because there is a conjunction
(but). A comma is the correct
punctuation here.
Use a semicolon to
link 2 independent
clauses.
Click here
to review
Rule 1 again
Semicolons only
connect 2
independent
clauses without any
connecting words.
Semicolons make
the pause between
two independent
clauses less distinct
than a period.
Click here to
move on to
the Rule 1
Quiz
Rule # 1 Quiz:
Click the colored box next to your chosen answer
1.
Choice A
Choice B
Choice C
Choice D
In which option below is the correct usage of a
semicolon shown?
A. Dave went for a bike ride; and he rode for 40
miles.
B. Dave went for a bike ride; he rode for 40
miles.
C. Dave went for a bike ride, he rode 40 miles.
D. Dave went for a bike ride; as a result, he rode
for 40 miles.
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Remember:
Semicolons join 2 independent
clauses without any connecting
words or phrases
Click Here to Try
Again
Congratulations! Great Job!
You answered the
question correctly!
Click Here to Move On
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Remember:
You must use a semicolon to link
independent clauses that do not
have any connecting words.
*Use a comma only when there is a connecting word between the 2
independent clauses
Click Here to Try
Again
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Remember:
Semicolons join 2 independent
clauses without any connecting
words or phrases.
Click Here to Try
Again
Rule # 1 Quiz:
Click the colored box next to your chosen answer
1.
Choice A
Choice B
Choice C
Choice D
In which option below is the correct usage of a semicolon
shown?
A. A draft of my first essay is due on Monday; I
also need to read chapter 2 in the textbook.
B. A draft of my first essay is due on Monday; and I
also need to read chapter 2 in the textbook.
C. A draft of my first essay is due on Monday and I
also; need to read chapter 2 in the textbook.
D. A draft of my first essay is due on Monday, I also
need to read chapter 2 in the textbook.
Congratulations! Great Job!
You answered the question correctly!
Click here to move on
Moving On….
I have only learned One Rule
I have learned both semicolon rules
Click on the arrow of the rule you have not
yet learned:
Click the arrow below to move on to the final
semicolon review
Rule 1: Linking 2
independent clauses
Rule 2: Separating a series that
contains commas already
Review
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Remember:
Semicolons link two independent clauses
without any connecting words.
Click here to
try #2 again
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Remember:
Each independent clause connected by
the semicolon must stand alone as its own
complete sentence.
Click here to
try #2 again
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Remember:
A comma is not enough to connect two
complete sentences if there is no connecting
word. You must use a semicolon to connect
two independent clauses with no connecting
words.
Click here to
try #2 again
Rule #2:
Use a semicolon between
items in a list or series if any
of the items contain commas
or added details.
Rule #2:
Use a semicolon between items in a list or series
if any of the items contain commas or added details.
The pattern for this rule looks like this:
Item
,
More
Info.
;
Item
,
More
Info.
;
Item
,
More
Info.
Rule #2:
Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if
any of the items contain commas or added details.
Example:
The fans, cheering loudly; the band, playing a rousing
march; and the cheerleaders turning cartwheels, helped
inspire the team to play well.
NOTE: There are several commas in
this list with added descriptive details,
so the semicolon helps avoid confusion
and separates each item within the list.
Rule #2:
Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if
any of the items contain commas or added details.
Use Rule 2
with locations
containing
both the city
and state or
city and
nation.
• Example: While
searching for a
good place to eat a
burger, I traveled
to Seattle,
Washington; Tokyo,
Japan; and London,
England.
Use a semicolon to
separate items in a list of
complicated items that
already contain commas.
This Rule Applies in:
Lists with added details
Click here
to review
Rule 1 again
Lists that contain specific
location information (city
and state or city and
nation)
Click here to
move on to the
Rule 2 Quiz
Rule # 2 Quiz:
Click the colored box next to your chosen answer
1.
Choice A
Choice B
Choice C
Choice D
Choose the correctly punctuated list from the choices
below:
A. On a Harley motorcycle, my grandmother and her
poodle have traveled to Anchorage; Alaska, San
Francisco; California, and Tijuana; Mexico.
B. On a Harley motorcycle, my grandmother and her
poodle have traveled to Anchorage Alaska; San
Francisco California; and Tijuana Mexico.
C. On a Harley motorcycle, my grandmother and her
poodle have traveled to Anchorage, Alaska; San
Francisco, California; and Tijuana, Mexico.
D. None of the above are correct.
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Remember:
Commas always separate a city and
state. In a list of multiple cities and
states semicolons separate each entire
place (both city and state or city and
nation) in the list.
Click here to
try again
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Remember:
 You must still use a comma to separate a
city and state.
 Semicolons are used to separate each
whole place in the list if they have both a
city and state or a city and nation.
Click here to
try again
Congratulations! Great Job!
You Answered the Question
Correctly!
Click Here to Move on to Question #2
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Oops…
One of the choices is correct. Remember,
semicolons help give clarity to a list with
added details and punctuation.
Click here to
try again
Rule # 2 Quiz:
Click the colored box next to your chosen answer
1.
Choice A
Choice B
Choice C
Choice D
Choose the correctly punctuated list from the choices
below:
A. The first crew to land on the moon consisted of Neil
Armstrong, who was the first person to walk on the
moon; Edwin Aldrin, who accompanied Armstrong to the
moon; and Michael Collins, who piloted the Columbia.
B. The first crew to land on the moon consisted of Neil
Armstrong; who was the first person to walk on the
moon, Edwin Aldrin; who accompanied Armstrong to the
moon, and Michael Collins; who piloted the Columbia.
C. The first crew to land on the moon consisted of Neil
Armstrong who was the first person to walk on the moon
Edwin Aldrin who accompanied Armstrong to the moon
and Michael Collins, who piloted the Columbia.
D. None of the above are correct.
Congratulations! Great Job!
You Answered the Question
Correctly!
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Remember:
Semicolons separate items in a list with
extra details. Commas separate the extra
details from the subjects they are
describing.
Click here to try again
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Remember:
A list of any kind must have punctuation
to separate items in it. A list with extra
details uses a semicolon between each
item.
Click here to try again
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
There is a correct choice. Remember,
semicolons separate items in detailed lists.
Click here to try again
Moving On…
Click HERE if you have gone through the
tutorials for BOTH semicolon rules and
are ready to review.
Click HERE if you need to learn about
another rule.
Let’s Review
Click on the rule that you’d like to review.
Rule 1
Rule 2
Semicolon Rule Review
Rule #1:
Use a semicolon when linking 2 independent
clauses with no connecting words.
Independent Clause
Click here to
select another
Rule to Review
;
Independent Clause
Click here to
move on to the
assessment
.
Semicolon Rule Review
Rule #2:
Use a semicolon to avoid confusion when you have
complicated lists of items.
Item
,
More
Info.
;
Item
,
More
Info.
;
Item
,
More
Info.
Ex: The choir, singing beautifully; the flowers, tastefully lining the
stage; and the thoughtfully written speeches made the graduation
very special.
Click here to
select another
Rule to Review
Click here to
move on to the
assessment
Show What You Know!
Click the link below to take the
Semicolon Assessment. Click submit
when finished.
Good Luck!
Semicolon
Assessment