Name: _________________________ Semicolons

What is a semicolon?

Semicolons ( ; ) are as basic as a period stacked on top of a comma. Does that mean you can use it like either
one? Don’t get your hopes up. But don’t let this punctuation mark get you down, either. After all, that sly
emoticon winky eye can’t be all bad. 😉

1. Semicolons Connect Related Independent Clauses

• You can use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses. Let’s put that another
way. The group of words that comes before the semicolon should form a complete sentence, the
group of words that comes after the semicolon should form a complete sentence, and the two
sentences should share a close, logical connection:

o Correct: I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch; life’s too short for counting calories.
o Money is the root of all evil; I don’t believe the reverse is necessarily true.
o Martha has gone to the library; Andrew has gone to play soccer.

Notice that the letter following the semicolon is not capitalized. The examples above are both made up
of two complete, grammatically correct sentences glued together. Yes, that means there are four total
sentences up there—and thanks to the semicolon, only two capital letters. That’s exactly why you can’t
substitute a comma for a semicolon. Using a comma instead of a semicolon in the sentences above
would result in a comma splice. And there’s nothing as painful as a comma splice.

2. Delete the Conjunction When You Use a Semicolon

• A semicolon isn’t the only thing that can link two independent clauses. Conjunctions(that’s your
ands, buts, and ors) can do that too. But you shouldn’t use a semicolon and a conjunction. That
means when you use a semicolon, you use it instead of the ands, buts, and ors; you don’t need
both. Here’s a hint: if you used a comma and an “and” to link two related ideas, think of the
period (you know, the top part of the semicolon) as a replacement “and.”
o Correct: I saw a magnificent albatross, and it was eating a mouse.
o Correct: I saw a magnificent albatross; it was eating a mouse.
• You need a comma plus something to avoid a comma splice. That something can either be the
right conjunction or the period that turns a comma into a semicolon. If semicolons can link
independent clauses that would otherwise have a period or a conjunction between them, that
means they can demonstrate contrast, too. This is part of the same rule, but the conjunction in
question is “but” instead of “and.” In other words:
o Correct: This is part of the same rule; the conjunction in question is “but” instead of
“and.”

To summarize, a semicolon links up two related ideas by narrowing the gap between the ideas of two
separate sentences or by replacing a conjunction between two related ideas. That goes for showing
contrast, too: just because two ideas are opposed or contradictory, that doesn’t mean they aren’t related
closely enough to earn themselves a semicolon.
Name: _________________________ Semicolons

3. Use Semicolons in a Serial List

• You can use semicolons to divide the items of a list if the items are long or contain internal
punctuation. In these cases, the semicolon helps readers keep track of the divisions between the
items.
o Correct: I need the weather statistics for the following cities: London, England; London,
Ontario; Paris, France; Paris, Ontario; Perth, Scotland; Perth, Ontario.
o Correct: My plan included taking him to a nice—though not necessarily expensive—dinner;
going to the park to look at the stars, which, by the way, are amazing this time of year; and
serenading him with my accordion.

Let’s recap: so far we’ve got semicolons for linking two independent clauses; replacing a conjunction
(whether showing similarity, like “and,” or opposition, like “but”); and long, comma-loving lists. Yup,
that was one now.

4. Use Semicolons with Conjunctive Adverbs

• When you have a conjunctive adverb linking two independent clauses, you should use a semicolon.
Some common conjunctive adverbs include moreover, nevertheless, however, otherwise, therefore,
then, finally, likewise, and consequently.
o Correct: I needed to go for a walk and get some fresh air; also, I needed to buy milk.
o Correct: Reports of the damage caused by the hurricane were greatly exaggerated; indeed, the
storm was not a “hurricane” at all.
o Correct: The students had been advised against walking alone at night; however, Cathy
decided walking wasn’t dangerous if it was early in the evening.
o Correct: I’m not all that fond of the colors of tiger lilies; moreover, they don’t smell very
good.

These words sometimes show up in other parts of a sentence; therefore, the semicolon rule only applies
if it helps the conjunctive adverb join two independent clauses. (See what we did there?) This
conjunctive adverb rule is similar to the conjunction rule. In both cases, check that the two ideas are
independent clauses that could stand on their own as sentences. If so, then you’re grammatically good to
go as far as the semicolon is concerned.

5. Use a Semicolon to Give a Willy Wink

• Emoticons will never replace a solid knowledge of the English language. But they can sure spice it
up from time to time. 😉 The semicolon is a good punctuation mark to have in your back pocket. Or
on top of your parenthetical smile. So whether you’re using it to whip up a good complex sentence
or to give someone a wink, now you know how to do it right.
Name: _________________________ Semicolons

Practice Exercise: Rewrite each compound sentence below using a semicolon instead of the conjunction.

1. Gayle liked meat loaf, but she likes shrimp better.

2. We don’t have to go if it rains, and I hope it rains.

3. The library board met on Thursday, and it was an emergency meeting.

4. Thomas excelled in playing the tuba, yet he rarely needed to practice.

5. The move ran late so we talked while we waited.

6. There were five doughnuts left this morning, but now there are none.

7. We did an experiment in class. All the students participated.

8. My friend was feeling sick. I walked her to the nurse’s office.

9. Pam and Lisa had a fight. They are not talking to each other today.

10. Popsicles are on sale at the store. My dad bought me one.

Name: _________________________ Semicolons

Practice Exercise: Combine each pair of sentences using a conjunctive adverb from the word bank. Be sure to
use a semicolon and a comma to connect the two sentences.

although eventually indeed

certainly finally meanwhile
consequently however therefore

1. We arrived late to the picnic. There was nothing left to eat.

2. Winnie did an excellent job. Others also could have done well.

3. The class wanted a spring trip to the water park. They voted to raise the money themselves.

4. Robert cleaned the garage. His brother mowed the lawn.

5. The oak tree had died years ago. It fell over in a windstorm.

6. Jim thought he could win the race. It was worth a try.

Name: _________________________ Semicolons

Practice Exercise: Rewrite each sentence below adding a semicolon in the correct place.

1. On our vacation we will visit Paris, France Rome, Italy and Vienna, Austria.

2. The three color combinations for the house are red, beige, and green blue, white, and yellow or brown,
blue, and red.

3. The plane stopped in Chicago, Illinois Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas.

4. The dinner choices were a steak, potatoes, and spinach a hamburger, fruit salad, and beans or chicken,
rice, and peas.

5. The students on each three-player team were James, Amy and Paul Violet, William, and Meg and Brett,
Tara, and Casey.

6. July 4, 1776 December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001 are important dates in U.S. history.