How to Use a Semicolon
February 11, 2008 · Written by Melissa Donovan
The semicolon just might be the most misunderstood punctuation mark in the English language. This dot-comma combination is often used where a period, colon, or even a plain old comma belongs. Underused and often abused, the semicolon is useful in a number of writing situations. Although proper use requires a little finesse, this little mark is surprisingly easy to understand.
Here’s the low down on semicolons:
- Establishes a close connection between two sentences or independent clauses
- Replaces conjunctions and or but
- Indicates a stronger separation than a comma
- Often used in lists to separate items when some of the items require commas
- Always followed by a lower case letter with proper nouns being the exception (proper nouns are always capitalized)
- Can be used to separate two clauses or sentences that are saying the same thing in different ways
- As with other punctuation marks that denote the end of a clause or sentence, there is no space between the semicolon and the word preceding it; there’s one space after the semicolon
Want examples? You got ‘em!
- I watched the Grammy Awards last night; I was most pleased that Amy Winehouse won and thought it was a great show this year.
- I love music; however, I haven’t played my own guitar in several years.
- I have lived in several different cities: San Francisco, California; Haiku, Hawaii; and Santa Barbara, California.
- When I was in fourth grade, I won the spelling bee for my entire school and went to the district championships. I practiced every night, memorized all the words on the list, and felt confident that I had a shot at winning; but I got nervous on stage and misspelled one of the words even though I knew how to spell it.
- I’m fascinated by names and their meanings; Melissa means honey bee.
- There’s nothing like the gentle drum of water hitting against the window pane; I love the rain.
- This is not only a grammar post, it’s also a tagged challenge by Rudy Amid in which I’m asked to write seven weird facts about myself; the seventh is that I’m using my blog to multi-task and be a good sport about memes.
How often do you use semicolons? Ever? Do you think it’s best these little fellows are used sparingly, or should we all aim for increased semicolon usage — start a new fad, maybe? Share your thoughts on semicolons in the comments.
Oh, and I tag anyone who feels like sharing seven weird facts about themselves. Post it on your blog, and then leave a comment here — and don’t forget I’m the one who tagged you!
And don’t forget to VOTE!
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I’m a huge fan of semi-colons; I use them in the technical writing that pays my bills and the fiction writing that keeps me happy. Oh, and clearly, I use them in blog comments too!
I don’t recall when I learnt to use semi-colons, though I remember reading about them in various style manuals and thinking ‘Hmm, so I do do it right then’.
There’s a time and a place for their usage though, and I have a feeling that sometimes I use them a bit too much; for example, between sentences where a period would probably be more appropriate.
Melissa, that’s a clever post to include the meme. I wouldn’t have figured it out because your 7 things were not weird at all!
Question about your semi-colon example #4:
I thought you said it replaces and/but? I wasn’t sure if the “but” after the semi-colon was necessary in this case?
Melissa,
I’d have never known this was a meme unless you told us! I was so engaged in reading about the semicolon and I just assumed you were using examples off the top of your head! You are so sly.
Fantabulous post!
I’m curious why everyone is spelling semicolon with a dash (semi-colon). Hmm…
@Sharp Words, I am fond of semicolons too, but I tend to go with a period if I can because I think that’s more natural for readers.
@Rudy, Thanks
I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do the meme because I try to keep this blog focused on writing, and not talk about myself. You raise a good question about my example. I think for that sentence, the “but” is required. Technically, you can’t start a new sentence with a conjunction (though most writers do it all the time), so a comma could work instead. However, I think that would be confusing after the list items. I believe since the semicolon can replace a period or a comma, my example is alright. This is where semicolons get complicated…
@Michele, Yeah I squeezed it in there
heheh… Thanks!
“First rule: Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you’ve been to college.”
A great site. Your use of many examples is a great means to implant correct semicolon usage in the long term memory of your readers.
Thank you for contributing to web in this way, and for instilling good writing skills within people in our society.
thanks a lot!
ps- haiku, hawaii? where is this? i lived in kailua for 16 years…. are you reffering to the haiku gardens in kaneohe?
We should use semicolons more simply because, being on the home row, they are easy to type.
I’d like to say that I’m honored to have the ghost of Kurt Vonnegut commenting on my blog. I sure feel special.
@Geno, Thank you, it’s been my pleasure. Let’s hope society’s writing skills continue to improve.
@Maria, It’s on Maui, not far from Paia. I have no idea where Kailua is, or the haiku gardens for that matter. I went to Ouahu for ten days when I graduated high school, then lived on Maui for a few months some years later. Loved it, but I got island fever and had to return to the mainland.
@Simon, Good point.
Quick Question.
Is the below sentence using the semicolon correctly?
If there is a casue; there is a reaction.
Thanks for your help!
Jesse R.
Jesse,
I don’t think so. What I do know is that the sentence is spelling “cause” incorrectly. Also, I think the saying goes For every action there’s a reaction.
A comma or semicolon is not necessary because the two halves on either side of the semicolon in your example don’t stand alone, and therefore are not independent clauses. Plus, as a rule of thumb, writing should not insert punctuation unless it enhances or clarifies meaning. In this case, it does neither.
Thanks Jesse.
That is embarrassing. I just recall from a course (technical communications) that using a semicolon after an “if” statement is okay. I won’t quit my day job. Thanks for you help Melissa.
Jesse, Nothing to be embarrassed about! There are some situations where it’s okay to use a semicolon but not necessary and then it’s really up to the writer to make a judgment call. That’s just one of the many reasons why writing can be so tricky.
Can be used to separate two clauses or sentences that are saying the same thing in different ways.
When two sentences are separate; sentences that are related.
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@Peter, Yeppers. I would add that even though semicolons come in handy when used correctly, sometimes it’s better to just start a new sentence. In my work, I’ve bumped across some written pieces in which the writer puts in a lot of semicolons and if overused, they actually hinder the flow of reading. Thanks for adding to the discussion!
I would have to argue that the comma (as opposed to the semicolon) is probably the most misused punctuation mark in English. As far as I know, semicolons are merely used to connect two independent clauses. Commas are used for a wide variety of purposes. I don’t know… I just seem to see so many misplaced commas, but I rarely see semicolons being used at all.
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@Eugene, In most cases where a semicolon would be appropriate, I’ll go with two full separate sentences; i.e. forgo the semicolon and use a period instead. Yes, the comma is grossly misused all over the place. Don’t get me started on serial commas…
As you say, Melissa “In most cases …”. But sometimes something is lost when a semicolon is replaced by a period - independent clauses, but one reinforcing the other, say:
McCain is involved in a scandal. Obama is delighted
and
McCain is involved in a scandal; Obama is delighted
Forgive the inappropriate example, I’m just a bit lazy right now.
Peter
PS Congratulations on this post: It keeps on bringing us back!
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