The Semicolon By Alfred R. Taylor

The Semicolon Semicolon usage is actually quite simple when students take the time to learn the rules. What causes most people to pull out their hair is they tend to overuse the semicolon.

The Semicolon The most common use for the semicolon is to join two independent clauses. This is also the most abused use of the semicolon, since most writers don’t realize the two independent clauses must be closely related and the clauses must be parallel to each other. If the independent clauses are not parallel and closely related, the semicolon has been used incorrectly.

The Semicolon For example: The chicken got well; we had salad for lunch. This is improper usage of the semicolon. The clauses are not parallel nor are they closely related. Joining the two sentences, or independent clauses, with a semicolon gains the writer nothing. The relationship between the two ideas is not enhanced by the semicolon.

The Semicolon Simply joining sentences, or independent clauses, together with semicolons produces weak sentences. The better way to join sentences is with: Coordinating Conjunctions Conjunctive Adverbs Complex Sentences

The Semicolon If the two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, then the relationship becomes clear. The chicken got well, so we had salad for lunch. (If the chicken hadn’t gotten well, we would have had chicken. When a chicken stops laying eggs on a farm it is no longer an asset, but a liability.)

The Semicolon The independent clauses may also be joined by a conjunctive adverb: The chicken got well; hence, we had salad for lunch. (It is okay to use a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb because the conjunctive adverb is modifying the relationship between the independent clauses.)

The Semicolon A complex sentence is another choice the writer may use: Because the chicken got well, we had salad for lunch. (A complex sentence is a dependent clause and an independent clause joined together. See my PowerPoint on Sentence Variety.)

The Semicolon The semicolon does have some legitimate uses. The semicolon is less powerful than a period, but it is more powerful than a comma. So utilizing a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb can greatly enhance the impact of a sentence.

The Semicolon Mark drank a cola; however, Jane had Tea. The semicolon causes the reader to pause for a second and think about the first sentence. Then the reader pauses again at the comma to consider the conjunctive adverb and its relationship to the first sentence. Then the reader completes the thought.

The Semicolon This is a wonderful method for getting the reader’s attention. It is greatly preferable to using exclamation marks! Exclamation marks mean that the writer is shouting. Most instructors don’t want their students shouting at them; however, using conjunctive adverbs is a great deal like crying wolf. If they are overused, they lose their impact on the reader.

The Semicolon Another use for the semicolon is breaking up items in a series that contain commas. For example, how many people did I have lunch with? (Dogs are people.) I had lunch with my wife, Thuy, my boss, Guy, my mom’s dog, Missy, and Mark, an android.

The Semicolon At first glance the reader may not realize that my mom’s dog is Missy, or that Thuy is my wife. It is necessary to utilize the semicolon to break up the sentence. I had lunch with my wife, Thuy; my boss, Guy; my mom’s dog, Missy; and Mark, an android. Now, it is clear I had lunch with four people.

The Semicolon Another example of items in a series that contain commas would be: Jane telephoned boys in Orlando, Florida; Sioux City, Iowa; and Yosemite, California.

The Semicolon When a compound sentence contains a numerous commas, it is sometimes necessary to use a semicolon in front of the coordinating conjunction to make it clear where the clauses are being joined. Mark, thinking about girls, drove his car, a 1977 Ford Pinto, into a tree; and he swallowed his gum, cracked the windshield, and dented the fender.

The Semicolon Summary: Use a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb, between items in a series that contain commas, and sometimes between coordinate sentences that contain excessive commas.

The Semicolon Do not use a semicolon: between a phrase and a clause. (use a comma) between a dependent clause and an independent clause. (use a comma) to introduce a list. (use a colon or a comma) to introduce a quotation. (use a colon or a comma)

The Semicolon My best advice is to simply avoid using the semicolon as much as possible. The semicolon is a highly over-rated piece of punctuation.

The Semicolon The End