2.  The first appropriate use of the semicolon is to connect two related sentences. The pattern looks like this:  Here is an example: My eighty-one-year-old grandmother still rides her Harley motorcycle; her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

3.  You can also team up a semicolon with a transition to connect two complete sentences that are close in meaning.  Check out this example: My father does not approve of his mother cruising around town on a Harley motorcycle; however, Grandma has never cared what anyone thinks.

4.  This info can be written directly under Semicolon rule #2!  Use a semicolon before conjunctive adverbs when they are used to join independent clauses. Example:  Some french fries are greasy; however, others are not.

5.  also  consequently  nevertheless  therefore  then  still  however It will look like this: I didn’t go to the store; however, I did run errands. (make sure to put the comma after!)

6.  Finally, use the semicolon to avoid confusion when you have complicated lists of items.  Read the following example: On a Harley motorcycle, my grandmother and her poodle have traveled to Anchorage, Alaska; San Francisco, California; and Tijuana, Mexico.

7. Keep these three things in mind when you use a semicolon:  The two main clauses that the semicolon joins should be closely related in meaning.  Don't capitalize the word that follows the semicolon unless that word is a proper noun, one that is always capitalized.  Limit your use of semicolons; you should not scatter them randomly throughout your writing. Semicolons are like glasses of champagne; save them for special occasions.

8. after a complete statement in order to introduce one or more directly related ideas, such as a series of directions, a list, or a quotation or other comment illustrating or explaining the statement. For Example:  The strategies of corporatist industrial unionism have proven ineffective: compromises and concessions have left labor in a weakened position in the new "flexible" economy.

9.  The daily newspaper contains four sections: news, sports, entertainment, and classified ads.

10.  He said he would be at home by 5:30 p.m.

11.  He always liked to refer to Genesis 1:18 when starting a speech.

12. Space once between a colon and the next word, when the colon is used between words. Do not space between numerals and a colon when a colon is used to mark time or ratios.