SEMICOLONS USING TRANSITIONAL
PHRASES AND JOINING WORDS
Semicolons can seem like intimidating pieces of punctuation, but, if you know how to use
them, your sentences will sparkle.
A semicolon connects two independent clauses together either by itself or
with the help of a transitional phrase or a joining word. It is stronger than
a comma but weaker than a period. It is used only between independent
clauses
1- The two following sentences can be connected with a semicolon because they both
deal with the same topic.
a- The student parking lot is empty by 3:15.
b- The students can’t wait to get home.
Connect the two using a semicolon
INDEPENDENT ; INDEPENDENT .
2- The semicolon can also connect two sentences together with a joining word.
Examples of joining words are: also, besides, consequently, meanwhile, nevertheless,
otherwise, finally, however, instead, still, then, therefore, thus.
The formula to create a semicolon sentence with a joining word is:
INDEPENDENT ; JOINING WORD , INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
.
Take some time now and rewrite the following sentences using a semicolon and joining
word correctly.
a- He often watched TV; even when there was nothing on, however his brother
preferred to read.
b- I don’t want to, go to school instead; I want to stay home.
c- James was caught sneaking out of his house, consequently; he was grounded for a
week.
d- I was on the phone with my friend; nevertheless I wasn’t listening to her.
abcd-
Create semicolon sentences using the joining words I give you…
a- Also
b- Meanwhile
c- However
d- Finally
e- Consequently
3- The semicolon can also connect two sentences together with a transitional phrase,
which is the same thing as a joining word except it is a phrase. Examples of transitional
phrases are: after all, as a result, at any rate, by the way, even so, for example, in
addition, in fact, in other words, on the other hand.
The formula to create a semicolon sentence with a joining word is:
INDEPENDENT ; TRANSITIONAL PHRASE , INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
.
Take some time now and rewrite the following sentences using a semicolon and
transitional phrase correctly.
a- He often watched TV even when there was, nothing on on the other hand his
brother preferred to; read.
b- I; don’t want to go to, school on the contrary I want to stay home.
c- James was caught sneaking out of his house, as a result; he was grounded for a
week.
d- I was on the phone with my friend even so I wasn’t listening to her.
abcdCreate semicolon sentences using the transitional phrases I give you…
a- After all
b- For example
c- On the contrary
d- As a result
e- In other words