Semicolon Usage

The semicolon (;) is sometimes called a "mild period." It is used as a connector and indicates a pause longer than a comma but shorter than a colon.

Related Thoughts

In a compound sentence, we can use a semicolon instead of a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so) between the two independent clauses. However, for correct semicolon usage, these clauses must contain related thoughts.

YES:

NO:

YES:

NO:

YES:


NO:


YES:


NO:

The potatoes are rotten; they smell like old shoes. (related thoughts)

The potatoes are rotten; my dad bought red apples. (not related thoughts)

The restaurant opened three months ago; it is already a neighborhood favorite. (related thoughts)

The restaurant opened three months ago; I like grapes. (not related thoughts)

Termites can cause great damage to wooden structures; they feed mainly on the wood of houses or furniture. (related thoughts)

Building foundations should not be made of wood; termites are sometimes called "white ants." (not related thoughts)

During Ronald Reagan's presidency, a group of conservative Democratic representatives arose in the South and West; they became known as the Boll Weevils. (related thoughts)

Southern cotton experienced the serious effects of boll weevils; Boll Weevils voted with the Republicans to enact Reagan's economic program. (not related thoughts)

Examples 1

Use a semicolon instead of the coordinating conjunction in these sentences:

  1. I started the building project, but Steve finished it. 
  2. The original Brains Trust advised President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and they helped him develop his New Deal.

Solutions

We replace the comma and conjunction with a semicolon: 

  1. I started the building project; Steve finished it. 
  2. The original Brains Trust advised President Franklin D. Roosevelt; they helped him develop his New Deal.

With Other Commas

When an independent clause contains commas, semicolon usage shows where one independent clause ends and another one begins.

UNCLEAR:

CLEAR:

UNCLEAR:

CLEAR:


UNCLEAR:



CLEAR:

Celina enjoys art, hiking, and tennis, and reading, softball, and music are April's favorite activities.

Celina enjoys art, hiking, and tennis; and reading, softball, and music are April's favorite activities.

Felix travels to California, Oregon, and Arizona, and Gerard visits Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.

Felix travels to California, Oregon, and Arizona; and Gerard visits Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.

Lydia grows figs, peaches, and pomegranates, and Lola grows apricots, oranges, and lemons. (ending of the first clause is unclear)

Lydia grows figs, peaches, and pomegranates; and Lola grows apricots, oranges, and lemons. (clear)

Semicolon usage separates phrases or dependent clauses that contain commas.

  • The company has offices in Sacramento, California; Salem, Oregon; and Olympia, Washington.
  • The United States has many large cities, including Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; and New York City, New York.
  • He vowed to study harder in math, English, and history; do his homework and chores on time; and be courteous to his sister, brother, and parents.
  • The Brains Trust included Adolph A. Berle, professor of law; Rexford G. Tugwell, professor of economics; and Samuel Rosenman, a speech writer.

Examples 2

Show correct semicolon usage in sentences 1 and 2.

  1. We drove through Boston, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode Island, and Hartford, Connecticut.
  2. He plays the guitar, the banjo, and the mandolin, and she plays the drums, the saxophone, and the trumpet.

Solutions

1. Semicolon usage creates clarity. We separate each "city, state" pair of words with a semicolon: 

We drove through Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; and Hartford, Connecticut.

2. Because the independent clauses in this sentence already contain commas, we separate the two clauses with a semicolon: 

He plays the guitar, the banjo, and the mandolin; and she plays the drums, the saxophone, and the trumpet.

Conjunctive Adverbs

Using a comma where a semicolon is needed creates a run-on sentence. We place a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb:

YES:

NO:

YES:


NO:



YES:



NO:



YES:


NO:

Lisa usually curls her pigtails; however, today she braided them.

Lisa usually curls her pigtails, however, today she braided them.

Fruits and vegetables do not arrive by magic to our supermarkets; however, most of us don't think about the process of getting fresh produce to market.

Fruits and vegetables do not arrive by magic to our supermarkets, however, most of us don't think about the process of getting fresh produce to market.

William Thackerary competed with his great contemporary, Charles Dickens; however, his novel, Vanity Fair, never achieved the popularity of David Copperfield.

William Thackerary competed with his great contemporary, Charles Dickens, however, his novel, Vanity Fair, never achieved the popularity of David Copperfield.

Senator John Bricker proposed a constitutional amendment to limit the President's power in foreign affairs; however, the Bricker Amendment failed by one vote.

Senator John Bricker proposed a constitutional amendment to limit the President's power in foreign affairs, however, the Bricker Amendment failed by one vote.

Examples 3

Show correct semicolon usage in these sentences:

  1. Her feet have blisters, still, she must keep walking.
  2. Historians record the engagement of James Buchanan to Anne Caroline Coleman, however, her family's objections resulted in a broken engagement and his distinction as the only bachelor President.

Solutions

1. We place a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb still: 

Her feet have blisters; still, she must keep walking. 

2. A semicolon is necessary before the conjunctive adverb, however. 

Historians record the engagement of James Buchanan to Anne Caroline Coleman; however, her family's objections resulted in a broken engagement and his distinction as the only bachelor President.