4 Rules of the Semicolon
Semi-colons are tricky for so many people. Is it used like a colon? (no) Is it used like a comma? (no) Does the semicolon only exist to make winking smiley faces? 😉 (not exactly) How are semicolons used, then? Check out these four simple rules to begin using semicolons in their proper place in a sentence.
Rule #1
Use semicolons as a replacement for a period when the you want to narrow the gap between two closely related sentences.
Examples:
- Jarrod was late for the meeting; he wasn’t able to find a chair.
- By age 1, my son was saying “mommy”; by age 2, he was saying full sentences.
- Like dear St. Francis of Assisi I am wedded to poverty; but in my case the marriage is not a success. (Oscar Wilde)
Rule #2
Use semicolons before words and phrases like however and therefore, and for example when they begin a complete sentence.
Examples:
- Kathy made a salad for dinner; however, she decided to eat a hamburger instead.
- You can sign up for any of the community art classes; for example, you can take Pottery, Photography, or Graphic Design.
Rule #3
Use semicolons to clarify a series of items in a list, when more than one of the items contains a comma.
Examples:
- Our school has students from Tokyo, Japan; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Paris, France; and many other international cities.
- Our newly elected board of trustee members includes William Gunner, Jr.; William Gunner, Sr.; and Celeste Monroe.
Rule #4
Use semicolons to join two independent clauses when multiple commas have appeared previously in a sentence.
Examples:
- I have been working, and by working, I mean working hard; and I’m exhausted.
- Stephanie enjoys pastries of all varieties: crunchy, chocolate croissants; soft, sugary muffins; and jelly-filled doughnuts.
Need to study more about proper punctuation? Be sure to read my post, 15 Rules for Using a Comma.
