Semicolon: The Combination Punctuation

What is a Semicolon?

A semicolon (;) is a combination of a period and a comma. It signals a pause or a short break with more impact than a comma, but it does not end a sentence like a period. Semicolons signify an essential correlation between phrases and clauses where a comma or a period alone will not suffice.

How to Use a Semicolon:

Here’s quick guide on how to use a semicolon; make sure to read carefully.

1. Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are not joined by conjunctions and, but, or, nor, for, and yet. 

• She was crying all night; I didn’t ask why. [Using a period is optional but it will not show the strong correlation between the clauses.]
• Her father died two decades ago; she still misses him every day.
• The family went to the beach; Bianca was left behind. [Do not capitalize the word immediately following a semicolon, unless it is a proper noun like Bianca.]

NOTE: Use a comma instead of a semicolon if the independent clauses are very short and are not connected by conjunctions. 

• The trees whistle, the wind whispers, the stars shine.

Related Reading: Comma Use – Pause, Take a Break

2. Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by words such as for example, for instance, that is, besides, accordingly, moreover, nevertheless, furthermore, otherwise, therefore, however, consequently, instead, hence.

• You need to know the proper use of punctuations; otherwise, you’ll fail the exam. 
• She stayed up all night watching Netflix; consequently, she fell asleep during her classes.

3. Use a semicolon to separate phrases or clauses that already have commas. 

• A beautiful, brown-eyed woman enters the small, unkempt room; and the noisy, impatient students await. 
• Her hobbies include writing poems, songs, and TV scripts; travelling to far-flung areas; teaching Math, English, and Literature; and painting landscapes. [To avoid confusion, use semicolons to separate a long series of phrases from one another.]

Practice:

Insert a semicolon in each sentence where it is required. 

1. She started the project late consequently, she failed to meet its deadline.
2. Krizzia likes eating pizza, spaghetti, and cake, sewing her own dress, shirt, and pillowcase, and reading fiction, social novels, and biographies.
3. The Covid-19 pandemic caused an economic crisis nevertheless, we still hope for better days.
4. A number of small businesses needed to close down some risk-takers started their own. 
5. You always break promises for instance, coming home for my birthday. 

Answers:

1. She started the project late; consequently, she failed to meet its deadline.
2. Krizzia likes eating pizza, spaghetti, and cake; sewing her own dress, shirt, and pillowcase; and reading fiction, social novels, and biographies.
3. The Covid-19 pandemic caused an economic crisis; nevertheless, we still hope for better days.
4. A number of small businesses needed to close down; some risk-takers started their own. 
5. You always break promises; for instance, coming home for my birthday.

Thank you for reading. We hope it’s effective! Always feel free to revisit this page if you ever have any questions about semicolons.

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