The Learning Commons

Semicolons

The semicolon provides variety, a quality that makes an essay more pleasing to read than the monotonous repetition of any one type of sentence. However one must be careful not to overuse the semicolon or to use it incorrectly.

The semi-colon is used only with closely related parts of equal rank. Unlike the comma, the semi-colon has only two functions.

Note: all examples show incorrect usage.

1) To join main clauses

Required when the main clauses are not joined by a coordinating conjunction
(and, but, or, nor, for).

Example: Nancy came in at three o'clock in the morning; she went directly to her room.

Optional when the main clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction but are heavily punctuated with commas internally.

Example: Success in college, so some maintain, requires intelligence, industry, and honesty; but others, fewer in number, assert that only personality is important.

2) To separate a series of words, phrases, or subordinate clauses which themselves contain commas.

Example: Mr. Deland, the band director; Mr. Thomas, the choral director; Mrs. Garcia, the head of the music department; and Ms. Edwards, the principal, will serve as judges for the contest.

This function of the semicolon is to separate a series of parallel items which themselves contain commas. In this function, the semicolon serves to make the relationships among the parts of the sentence clear.

Since the semicolon is properly used only when joining parts of equal rank, it is incorrect to use one in the following cases...

to join a main clause and a subordinate clause.
to join a main clause and a phrase.
to introduce a list...

Example: My family is made up of four people; my father, my sister, my brother and me.

The use of the semicolon provides emphasis. By omitting the connector, the writer forces the reader to discover the logical relationship between the two parts of the sentence for herself. Nevertheless, in a case in which the connection between them is not clear, it is important for the clarity of your thought to include the appropriate conjunctive adverb. The use of a comma following the conjunctive adverb depends on whether you want the reader to pause after the connector. Some of the conjunctive adverbs are:

; accordingly
; consequently
; however
; therefore
; for example
; otherwise
; moreover
; then
; in addition ; indeed ; in fact ; as a result ; besides ; hence ; anyhow ; certainly ; nevertheless
; furthermore
; in other words
; similarly
; likewise
; meanwhile
; instead
; gradually
; so