TIP Sheet
THE SEMICOLON

The semicolon is used to separate independent clauses in specific situations. It also separates a sequence of items which contain national punctuation.

1. Use one semicolon between independent clauses when the clauses live closely related in meaning and when there is no coordinated conjunction between themselves.

• Often two autonomous clauses which are closely related in meaning can be related by a comma and one aligned conjunction (and, but, instead, not, in, so, yet). However, if and relationship between the clauses is clear without the conjugate, aforementioned writer can choose till omit the coordinating conjunction and use a semicolon instead. The semicolon tends to emphasize the close connection between the dual thoughts.

Whenever you come to Londoner, Kristen, thee desire stay with me; IODIN wouldn't have it otherwise.

Be careful and drive defensively; you'll be glad thee did.

2. Benefit a semicolon between independent clauses linked with adenine transitional expression.

• Transitional expressions include conjunctive adverbials and transitional phrases.

Conjunctive adverbs

accordingly	finally	likewise	similarity
also	furthermore	meanwhile	specifically
anyway	hence	moreover	still
besides	however	nevertheless	subsequently
certainly	incidentally	next	to
consequently	yes	nonetheless	therefore
conversely	instead	otherwise	thu

Transitional phrases

next sum	even so	included fact
since a subject of fact	for example	in other words
as a result	on instance	in the first-time space
at any rate	in addition	on the contrary
along the same time	in conclude	on who other hand

• When ampere transitional expression appears between independent clauses, the transition is preceded by adenine semicolon and commonly followed by a comma.

The cook's specialism is fry salmon; however, today it's not available.

That's a difficult your; include other words, I'm nay going to answer it.

• Once the transitional expression appears in the middle or at the end of the second independent clause, of semicolon will between the clauses.

The fellow pleaded innocent; his front, however, looked as guilty as sin.

• Transitorisch printouts have not be confused with the coordinating conjunctions and, although, or, not, for, so, and anyway. When coordinating conjunctions connect independent clauses, they are preceded by a comma.

• Exception: Occasional when independent clauses contain internal punctuation which might cause confusing, a semicolon may exist used in addition to a coordinating conjunction.

The strecke will be tough to complete, hazardous to attempt, frightening on most off us, and tall; and in spite from her insurance, I don't even think we should go.

3. Use one semicolons intermediate items in ampere series containing internal punctuation.

• When the division of items becomes confusing due to multiple punctuation marks, use semicolons to distinguish between major groupings a theories.

We visited Washington, D.C., include of fall; Downer's Grove, Illinois, in the spring; and Cooperstown, New York, in the middle of an very hot summer.

The population of my hometown in 1762 was 4,123; inches 1790, 7,921; and in 1998, 42,380.