Semicolons

The English language has many different types of punctuation you can use to create different effects in your writing. As there are so many, it can be easy to get them mixed up sometimes. One punctuation mark that can often get misused is the semicolon. Not to worry, though! In this article, we'll discuss what a semicolon is, how you can use it, and how it differs from other pieces of punctuation, such as Colons and commas.

Semicolon Meaning

So, what is a semicolon?

A semicolon is a piece of punctuation represented by a comma and a dot (you may recognize the semicolon from its use in the winky face emoji ;) ). Semicolons are typically used to represent a pause in writing or speech that is longer than the pause represented by a comma. On top of this, there are four more specific uses of semicolons, which we'll get to in a bit.

Before we get into these uses, let's review some general rules for using semicolons in writing.

Semicolons have three uses aside from the classic winky face.

Rules for Semicolons

The rules for using semicolons are similar to those for using any other mid-sentence punctuation. By mid-sentence punctuation, we're referring to a piece of punctuation used within a sentence, i.e., not at the beginning or the end.

So, let's go over some simple rules:

• Semicolons appear within sentences, not at the beginning or the end.

• The first word after a semicolon is not capitalized unless it's a proper noun.

• A semicolon can't be used as a direct replacement for a comma.

• Semicolons can be followed by a conjunctive adverb.

  • A conjunctive adverb is an adverb used to link two independent clauses (e.g. however, moreover, hence, also).

Semicolon Uses and Examples

Now that we've got some of the simple rules out of the way, we can look at what the uses of semicolons are. There are four different ways that you can use a semicolon in your writing. These are:

1. To separate items in a list

2. To connect two related independent clauses

3. To connect two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb

We'll now have a look at each of these uses in turn and discuss them with examples.

Use 1: To Separate Items in a List

This first use of a semicolon is usually where the confusion with the comma comes in. In a written list, items can be separated by a comma or semicolon. The trick is knowing which one to use and when.

A semicolon is used to separate longer items or items that include punctuation, while a comma is used to separate short items. Let's have a look at this in some examples.

These are the two ways semicolons are used in lists. To ensure we understand where a semicolon is used instead of a comma, let's look at an example of a list with commas.

Use 2: To Connect Two Related Independent Clauses

The second use of semicolons is to connect two related independent clauses. Before we get into this, let's ensure we know what an independent clause is.

So, when you have two related independent clauses, you can connect them in one sentence by using a semicolon.

Let's look at a couple of examples of where a semicolon can be used in this way.

You might have noticed that each of these sentences could be rephrased to use a coordinating conjunction (e.g., for, and, nor, but, or, yet) and a comma instead of a semicolon.

When you use a semicolon to connect two independent clauses instead, you leave out the coordinating conjunction.

Semicolons are used to connect independent clauses - they link parts of sentences together.

Use 3: To Connect Two Independent Clauses with a Conjunctive Adverb

The third way a semicolon is used is similar to the way we just discussed. We can use semicolons to connect two independent clauses (like the last way), but with a conjunctive adverb.

When using conjunctive adverbs with a semicolon, the conjunctive adverb comes after the semicolon and is followed by a comma, which introduces the next independent clause.

The sentence format is:

independent clause + ; + conjunctive adverb + , + independent clause

Now, let's look at some example sentences that use semicolons and conjunctive adverbs.

As you can see in these examples, semicolons are only used with a conjunctive adverb when the second independent clause is related to and adds information to the first clause.

Using Semicolons Instead of Commas

Semicolons can be easily confused with other pieces of punctuation, especially commas. Let's have a look at when we use semicolons instead of commas.

Both semicolons and commas can be used to separate items in lists. There are simple rules to follow so you can decide whether to use a semicolon or a comma:

• Use a semicolon between long items

• Use a semicolon between items that have internal punctuation

• Use a comma between short items

Semicolons and commas can also both be used to link clauses together. Here's another list of helpful pointers so you know when to use a semicolon instead of a comma:

• Semicolons link two independent clauses together without the use of a conjunction

• Semicolons link two independent clauses together with a conjunctive adverb

• Commas link independent clauses with subordinate clauses

• Commas link two independent clauses when a conjunction is used

• Commas can be used within a clause to separate phrases

Semicolons vs. Colons

Another piece of punctuation that often gets confused with a semicolon is a colon. They are two very similar pieces of punctuation to look at: the colon is two dots, one on top of the other (:), and the semicolon is a comma with a dot over the top (;).

The colon and semicolon can both be used in lists, but for different purposes:

• Colons introduce lists

• Semicolons separate longer items within a list

Colons and semicolons can also both be used to connect related clauses:

• Semicolons connect two independent clauses without a conjunction

  • E.g. The weather kept getting worse; storms were meant to hit in the evening.

• Semicolons connect two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb

  • E.g. The weather kept getting worse; however, the forecast said it was meant to brighten up.

• Colons connect a second sentence or statement to a first one

  • E.g. The weather kept getting worse: Jenny had to change her plans.