Using Semicolons
Semicolons are a stronger punctuation than a comma. In fact, they can
sometimes take the place of a period. There are three times when you
might use a semicolon:
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1. Between two sentences.
Example: Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice.
DO NOT use it between a dependent and an independent clause:
Example: Since he started school; he has not had any free
time.
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2. Between two independent clauses linked with a transitional
phrase or a conjunctive adverb:
Example: Many corals grow very gradually; in fact, the creation of
a coral reef can take centuries.
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3. Between items in a series containing internal punctuation or
when the sentence contains so many commas that it would be
confusing to read:
Example: Classic science fiction sagas are Start Trek, with Mr.
Spock; Battlestar Galactica, with Cylon Raiders; and Star Wars,
with Hans Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader.
Check Your Knowledge
• Add a semicolon where necessary in
the following sentences. If the sentence
is already correct, do nothing.
• 1. Do not ask me to be kind just ask me
to act as though I were.
• 1. Do not ask me to be kind; just ask
me to act as though I were.
Check Your Knowledge
• 2. When men talk about defense they
always claim to be protecting women
and children but they never ask the
women and children what they think.
• 2. When men talk about defense, they
always claim to be protecting women
and children, but they never ask the
women and children what they think.
Check Your Knowledge
• 3. When I get a little money I buy
books if any is left I buy food and
clothes.
• 3. When I get a little money, I buy
books; if any is left, I buy food and
clothes.
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• 4. America is a country that doesn’t
know where it is going but is determined
to set a speed record getting there.
• 4. America is a country that doesn’t
know where it is going, but is determined
to set a speed record getting there.
Check Your Knowledge
• 5. Wit has truth in it wisecracking is
simply calisthenics with words.
• 5. Wit has truth in it; wisecracking is
simply calisthenics with words.
Check Your Knowledge
• 6. Standing in the middle of the road is
very dangerous you get knocked down
by the traffic from both sides.
• 6. Standing in the middle of the road is
very dangerous; you get knocked down
by the traffic from both sides.
Check Your Knowledge
• 7. I do not believe in the afterlife,
although I am bringing a change of
underwear.
• 7. I do not believe in the afterlife,
although I am bringing a change of
underwear.
Check Your Knowledge
• 8. We don’t know what we want but we
are ready to bite someone to get it.
• 8. We don’t know what we want, but
we are ready to bite someone to get it.
Check Your Knowledge
• 9. To survive, mountain lions need a large,
open area in which to range, a steady supply
of deer, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and
opossums, and the opportunity to find a mate,
establish a den, and raise a litter.
• 9. To survive, mountain lions need a large,
open area in which to range; a steady supply
of deer, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and
opossums; and the opportunity to find a
mate, establish a den, and raise a litter.
Check Your Knowledge
• 10. These families eat at soup
kitchens, they have no money for
anything other than rent and basic
clothing.
• 10. These families eat at soup
kitchens; they have no money for
anything other than rent and basic
clothing.
Review
• There are three times when you might use a
semicolon:
• 1. Between two sentences.
• 2. Between two independent clauses
linked with a transitional phrase or a
conjunctive adverb.
• 3. Between items in a series containing
internal punctuation or when the
sentence contains so many commas
that it would be confusing to read.