Semicolons

You will normally use semicolons when you write compounds sentences or lists.

 

Semicolons in Compound Sentences

There are two common ways to write a compound sentence. When you write compound sentences, you usually use a comma and a conjunction to separate the two clauses; you could also use a semicolon in the same place as the comma and conjunction. Use a semicolon between two complete sentences that are closely related to make them into a compound sentence. When you use a semicolon, you do not need a coordinating conjunction. Just write the two sentences with a semicolon between them.

Note You should not use a semicolon after a dependent clause that begins a sentence (one that begins (“Because…,” “When…,” “If…,” etc.).

Look at the following formulas, where IC means independent clause, or a complete sentence, and DC means dependent clause, or one that begins with if, because, when, or another word like that.

Correct IC. IC.
Correct IC; IC.
Incorrect IC IC.

Correct IC, and IC.
Incorrect IC; and IC

Correct DC, IC.
Incorrect DC; IC.

 

Bad Example

Although it was raining outside; King Lear still wandered around the countryside.

The problem here is that “Although it was raining outside” is not a complete sentence – it is a subordinate clause. There are two ways to fix this sentence.

 

Good Example

Although it was raining outside, King Lear still wandered around the countryside.
OR
It was raining outside; King Lear still wandered around the countryside.

In the first example, we replaced the misused semicolon with a comma; in the second example, we made the subordinate clause into an independent clause. Both of these are correct.

 

Exercises

For each sentence below, insert a semicolon where it belongs. If the sentence is correct, circle the number next to that sentence.

1. If you want to go, you should go.

2. Ophelia loves Hamlet he acts strangely towards her.

3. Your dog needs a leash it’s illegal not to have him on a leash outside.

4. I always carry an umbrella when it rains.

5. Elizabeth speaks French well her mother is not as skilled with the language.

6. We went to the store despite the fact that we had no money to spend.

7. Independent clauses don’t like to touch you should separate them with semicolons.

8. Romeo kills himself because he thinks Juliet is dead.

 

Answers

1. (correct)

2. Put a semicolon between “Hamlet” and “he.”

3. Put a semicolon between “leash” and “it’s.”

4. (correct)

5. Put a semicolon between “well” and “her.”

6. (correct)

7. Put a semicolon between “touch” and “you.”

8. (correct)

 

Semicolons in Lists

Usually, we separate items in a list using commas, but sometimes an item has commas in it. When a part of a list has commas in it, you should use semicolons to separate the larger parts of the list.

 

Bad Example

I need to go to the store to buy apples, bread, and butter, pick up the kids, and wash the dishes, the laundry, and the car.

This sentence contains a list, but some of the items in that list have commas in them. It is unclear to readers where one item of the list ends and the next begins. We can use semicolons to make this sentence clearer.

 

Good Example

I need to go to the store to buy apples, bread, and butter; pick up the kids; and wash the dishes, the laundry, and the car.

Here, we replaced the commas between the larger items with semicolons so it is clear that each of the three verb phrases ends the sentence “I need to…”

 

Exercises

For each sentence below, circle the commas that need to be replaced with semicolons. If the sentence is punctuated correctly, circle the number next to that sentence.

1. You should go to class, study math, engineering, and accounting, and write your papers.

2. His daughters, Cordelia, Regan, and Goneril, their husbands, and the nobles all want King Lear to leave the kingdom.

3. The young characters always disagree with the older characters, especially when it comes to marriage, courtship, and love.

4. This apartment building has all the following advantages over other complexes: good landlords, inexpensive rent, and easy access to a gym, a pool, and a sauna.

 

Answers

1. Use a semicolon instead of a comma after “class” and “accounting.”

2. Use a semicolon instead of a comma after “Goneril” and “husbands.”

3. (correct)

4. Use a semicolon instead of a comma after “landlords” and “rent.”

 

 

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