Properly Punctuated: Semicolon, ;

Revised as of
19 Mar 2023

The semicolon has two main functions: replacing the comma in a serial list and joining two closely related independent clauses. The serial list semicolon helps distinguish items in a list if the item phrase includes commas.

As for the independent clauses, running two complete sentences together in one sentence creates a run-on. A major no-no. Instead, use a semicolon to join the two sentences, BUT the sentences must be closely related in topic.

The Properly Punctuated explores . . .

. . . the proper use of quotation marks, commas, semicolons, colons, ellipsis, etc., including how to properly mark dialog, ahem. As Properly Punctuated is in no way complete, I would appreciate suggestions and comments from anyone on punctuation with which you struggle or on which you can contribute more understanding.

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Semicolon, ;
Punctuation: ;
Definition: A punctuation mark indicating a pause, typically between two main clauses, that is more pronounced than that indicated by a comma. General Rule: Its main purpose is to join two complete and similar sentences. When two thoughts are tied strongly to one another, you may find a period too great a separation. Using a semicolon visibly increases the link between these thoughts. If you can use a period, you can use a semicolon — just don’t give up on using periods! POST CONTENTS: Joining Two Independent Clauses Conjunctive Adverb Transition Join Series With Existing Commas Capital Letters After Semicolon Semicolons are Not Colons
Elements of Grammar
Rule: Joins two independent clauses when the second clause restates the first, when the two clauses are of equal emphasis, or when the independent clauses are closely related.
Road construction in Dallas has hindered travel around town; streets have become covered with bulldozers, trucks, and cones. There were four survivors on this island; only two remain. This coffee maker doesn’t just make coffee; it also greets you personally. A zombie eats brains; a shotgun fixes that. Return to top
Rule: Joins two independent clauses when the second clause begins with . . .
Conjunctive Adverb	Definition: Use a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb when connecting ideas to ease the transition between ideas in a sentence or between sentences. They do this by showing comparison, contrast, sequence, cause-effect, or other relationships between ideas (Conjunctive).
Return to top or post contents	Rule: Joins two independent clauses and acts like a coordinating conjunction, but replacing it, BUT requires a semicolon — NOT a comma — to join the clauses.
	List of Conjunctive Adverbs
	besides consequently finally furthermore however indeed likewise meanwhile moreover nevertheless nonetheless otherwise then therefore thus more
	Examples:
	Legend: Green indicates the semicolon + conjunctive adverb + comma Henry was supposed to join us; nevertheless, he wasn’t there. Marge’s deep freeze doesn’t hold more than fifty pounds of meat; otherwise, she would have picked up more venison. The dog chased down his prey; then, to the child’s delight, Rover licked his laughing face. John was the first to cross the finish line; but, Bob couldn’t find it. Bob ran five miles every day; nevertheless, he couldn’t keep up with John.
Transition	Rule: Many conjunctive adverbs act like a coordinating conjunction AND require a semicolon, NOT a comma, to join the two independent clauses.
Return to top or post contents	List of Transitional Phrases
	even so for example for instance	however in addition in fact	in other words on the other hand that is more
	Examples:
	Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern; in fact, the concern for America’s safety has led to an awareness of global terrorism. I like the thought of an underwater bear; however, I wouldn’t want to meet one.
Join Series With Existing Commas	Rule: When elements of a series already use commas, semicolons take over the job of separating those elements; end the series with a comma and a conjunction, and.
Return to top or post contents	Recent sites of the Olympic Games include Athens, Greece; Salt Lake City, Utah; Sydney, Australia; and, Nagano, Japan. The winners of the marathon hailed from Little Rock, Arkansas; Denver, Colorado; and, Kodiak Island, Alaska. Ask your father to pick up bread, milk, butter, and cheese from the corner shop; lamb and beef from the market; and, onions from the farm on Little Road. Legend: Yellow indicates the concluding comma and conjunction Green indicates the individual elements Orange indicates the semicolon
Capital Letters After Semicolon	Definition: The first word after a semicolon is only capitalized if it’s a proper noun or an acronym.
Return to top or post contents	I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch; life’s too short for counting calories. Money is the root of all evil; I don’t believe the reverse is necessarily true. Martha has gone to the library; Andrew has gone to play soccer. Allergies generally require medication to alleviate the symptoms; NAET puts an end to that.
Semicolons are Not Colons	Rule: Semicolons are not used to set a phrase apart. That’s the job of the em dash, the parentheses, or brackets, depending on the desired strength of the parenthetical.
	Yes No He lost his money at the slot machines — every single penny. He lost his money at the slot machines; every single penny.

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C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!

Satisfy your curiosity about other Properly Punctuated posts on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, Word Confusions, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.

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Resources for Semicolon

“Commas vs. Semicolons in Compound Sentences.” Purdue Online Writing Lab. n.d. Web. 10 Dec 2014. <https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/commas/commas_vs_semicolons.html>.

“Conjunctive Adverbs.” K12Reader. n.d. Web. 10 Dec 2014. <http://www.k12reader.com/term/conjunctive-adverbs/>.

Keira. “The Semicolon: Not a Fancy Comma.” Textbroker.com. 7 May 2010. Web. 10 Dec 2014. <https://www.textbroker.com/semicolon-not-fancy-comma>.

“Semicolon.” Grammarly.com. <https://www.grammarly.com/blog/semicolon/>.

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Antsy and his friend appear to be having an issue with equality.