{"id":3999,"date":"2020-11-17T19:55:36","date_gmt":"2020-11-18T03:55:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/?p=3999"},"modified":"2021-04-07T16:53:32","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T23:53:32","slug":"when-to-use-a-semicolon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/when-to-use-a-semicolon\/","title":{"rendered":"When to use a Semicolon ; \u2014 A Definitive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Click below to listen to a recording of this passage.<\/em><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3999-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/files\/Semicolon-Introduction.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/files\/Semicolon-Introduction.mp3\">https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/files\/Semicolon-Introduction.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is a semicolon? Is it a period? Is it a comma?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many people think you can use it in place of a period or comma wherever you want, but that\u2019s a mistake.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some believe it works like a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepunctuationguide.com\/colon.html#:~:text=The%20colon%20is%20used%20to%20separate%20two%20independent%20clauses%20when,the%20word%20is%20ordinarily%20capitalized.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">colon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, but though it looks similar, they\u2019re <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">quite <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">different.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Well if it isn\u2019t a period, comma, or a colon, what is this punctuation used for?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In this blog, we\u2019ll answer these questions and more as we explore <\/span><b><i>how and when to use a semicolon (;).\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>How to Use a Semicolon: The Four Situations<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are four instances in your writing where you can use a semicolon. We\u2019ll give you the list and then break down each case.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To link two independent clauses related in context<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> using a transitional phrase or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/conjunctive-adverbs-list-and-definition\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">conjunctive adverb<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to separate two sentences<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To connect two clauses separated by a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/the-ultimate-english-conjunctions-list\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">conjunction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> after using a comma in the first clause<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chompchomp.com\/terms\/iteminaseries.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">serial list<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Essential Note for ESL Learners:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Three of the four cases where you\u2019ll use a semicolon involve <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/learning-english-grammar-in-5-easy-steps\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">independent clauses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> so be sure you know, understand, and have mastered the use of clauses before exploring a new form of punctuation. Just <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">because<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> you <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">can<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> use a semicolon doesn\u2019t mean you <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">should<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The clauses on both sides of a semi colon could be sentences on their own. It\u2019s up to you to determine whether the context or ideas of the sentences <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">are related<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and warrant a semicolon using the rules we\u2019ll define in our <\/span><b><i>when to use a semicolon examples<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Connecting Independent Clauses\u2014If They\u2019re Related<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Linking two <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">closely <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">related independent clauses is the primary use for semicolons. This means that the clauses on both sides of a sentence <\/span><b><i>must <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">form complete sentences on their own. In addition, the two clauses must be <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">contextually <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">sound and make sense. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In other words, the<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> ideas <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">are connected<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and logical.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We\u2019re having Italian for dinner; it\u2019s the perfect cuisine for a celebration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jerry had gone to work; Terry had left early to fix the shed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Humanity is blind; it can\u2019t predict the future and doesn\u2019t learn from its past.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4036 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/files\/Magoosh_Semicolon_2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/files\/Magoosh_Semicolon_2.jpg 512w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/files\/Magoosh_Semicolon_2-300x188.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Remember that we do not capitalize the letter after <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a semicolon <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">unless it\u2019s a proper noun or \u2018I\u2019. The sentences above are examples of independent, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">grammatically <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">correct sentences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are also examples within this category where a semicolon replaces a comma and a conjunction, so <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">be sure to<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> remember the rules of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/comma-use-rules-and-guidelines\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">when to use a comma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and delete both if using a semicolon.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We visited the Mississippi River, and it was flowing faster than any body of water I\u2019d seen before. &#8211; <\/span><b><i>Correct<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We visited the Mississippi River; it was flowing faster than any body of water I\u2019d seen before. &#8211; <\/span><b><i>Correct<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Last, just because two ideas are conflicting or in opposition, it doesn\u2019t mean that they\u2019re not related. You can still use a semicolon. Basic comma rules still apply, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">so r<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">eplace the conjunction \u2018but\u2019 and the comma with a semicolon.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some people follow rules, but it\u2019s the ones who don\u2019t that cause change. &#8211; <\/span><b><i>Correct<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some people follow rules; it\u2019s the ones who don\u2019t that cause change. &#8211; <\/span><b><i>Correct<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Transitional Phrases or Conjunctive Adverbs with Semicolons<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When linking two independent clauses with a transitional phrase or a conjunctive adverb, you can use a semicolon instead of stopping the sentence with a period. Just note that these types of words and phrases appear in other parts of sentences. Only use a semicolon when using them to help join two independent clauses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Conjunctive Adverb Examples<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don\u2019t lean on your partner too much; however, don\u2019t do everything on your own either.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">She wasn\u2019t at the rehearsal; <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">moreover, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">she hadn\u2019t shown up to practice in three weeks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We ran every errand my dad asked; also, we stopped at the convenience store for some ice cream.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Transitional Phrase Examples<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He had never seen a city; in fact, he had never seen a building taller than two stories.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">She wasn\u2019t a fan of her mother\u2019s rules; <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">even so, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">she still obeyed them.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It wasn\u2019t her favorite dessert; <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">in other words, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">she would not eat it.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Linking Independent Clauses With a Conjunction When a Comma Was Used<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This situation seems like a mouthful, but it\u2019s simple. A semicolon in this situation acts as a mental break for a complex sentence. Look at these sentences with commas examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bill likes all kinds of sodas, and we have known<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> him to drink<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> them<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regularly<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">; but his doctor said it\u2019s time to cut back on the simple sugars.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When we go up to the lake, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">usually <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">around four o\u2019clock, I\u2019ll help Dad mow the lawn; and I&#8217;m always sure to leave a large glass of lemonade for him on the counter.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In fact, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">quite oddly<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, no one uses a manual can opener anymore; but in the Sixties, it was common as electric appliances hadn\u2019t replaced every tool in the kitchen.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Semicolon use in these examples is linked with clarity and the weight of the comma punctuation. By using a semicolon before the conjunction in these sentences, you clarify the sentence and provide a break for the reader. In addition, they show that the pause or punctuation at the semicolon has more weight than the commas.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>When to Use a Semicolon in a List<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If items or phrases in a list contain commas, then you can use a semicolon to separate the items or phrases. Using semicolons in a list doesn\u2019t happen often, but it\u2019s a great tool to know as it can give clarity to an unreadable sentence. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our vacation plans included having dinner at a very nice (but not too expensive!) restaurant that overlooks the ocean, visiting the ancient ruins in the area, which<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, by the way,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> date back to 900 B.C., and walking along the beautiful, rocky shorelines. &#8211; <\/span><b><i>Incorrect<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our vacation plans included having dinner at a very nice (but not too expensive!) restaurant that overlooks the ocean; visiting the ancient ruins in the area, which<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, by the way,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> date back to 900 B.C.; and walking along the beautiful, rocky shorelines. &#8211; <\/span><b><i>Correct<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I\u2019m looking for addresses for our offices in the following cities: Beaumont, Texas, Raleigh, North Carolina, Salem, Oregon, Boise, Idaho, and Fresno, California. &#8211; <\/span><b><i>Incorrect<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I\u2019m looking for addresses for our offices in the following cities: Beaumont, Texas; Raleigh, North Carolina; Salem, Oregon; Boise, Idaho; and Fresno, California. &#8211;<\/span><b><i>Correct<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Did you notice the colon we used in the second example? Read on and we\u2019ll explain why.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>When to Use A Colon vs Semicolon<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Click below to listen to a recording of this passage.<\/em><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-3999-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/files\/Semicolon-When-to-use-a-colon-vs-semi-and-conclusion.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/files\/Semicolon-When-to-use-a-colon-vs-semi-and-conclusion.mp3\">https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/files\/Semicolon-When-to-use-a-colon-vs-semi-and-conclusion.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Colons look similar to semicolons, so there\u2019s sometimes some confusion about the difference in usage between the two.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the example above, the colon (:) is used to introduce the list of cities, and that\u2019s one of the colon\u2019s primary functions in grammar: introduction. We use a colon to introduce a list of things or to introduce a clause (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">usually <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">dependent, as in the previous sentence) or statement that makes a point.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Think of a colon as stating, \u201cThis is what I want to say,\u201d or, \u201cThis is what I mean.\u201d Whereas, a semicolon is a separation or break between two separate, but related, independent clauses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Conclusion: Semicolon Punctuation Defined<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We\u2019ve covered the four situations where you\u2019ll use a semicolon and explained the difference between when to use a colon and when to use a semicolon. But, perhaps you\u2019re still a little unsure on the subject.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That\u2019s okay! Semicolons are even confusing for native English speakers. So, let\u2019s summarize the key information.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Remember, semicolons join two independent clauses. Many writers <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mistakenly <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">try to join independent clauses with only a comma and no coordinating conjunction. This is an error known as a comma splice.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I like movies, however, they seem to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">be using<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> more special effects than focusing on story development<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> lately<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. &#8211; <\/span><b><i>Incorrect (comma splice)<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I like movies; however, they seem to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">be using<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> more special effects than focusing on story development<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> lately<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. &#8211; <\/span><b><i>Correct<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Writers can also overuse semicolons by trying to join independent clauses with dependent ones using a semicolon.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Since movies are still <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">fun and entertaining<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">; you might as well go. &#8211; <\/span><b><i>Incorrect<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Since movies are still <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">fun and entertaining<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, you might as well go. &#8211; <\/span><b><i>Correct<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Semicolons are a great tool for advanced ESL writers looking to create more rounded and complex sentences and ideas. And, now that you know when to use a semicolon, you can use this tool to make your writing sound more elegant and balanced. Just be sure you have a mastery of clauses before employing this writing tool.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have any other thoughts or questions about semicolons? Leave a comment below!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re interested in exploring more English grammar topics and speaking with other learners, look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/speaking.magoosh.com\/pricing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">our starters offer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It gives you access to our Magoosh English Speaking Slack Group where you can get peer feedback and discuss grammar topics like when to use a semicolon. Take your English learning to the next level and join today!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As always for all things English grammar, pronunciation, and job related, visit the Magoosh Speaking Blog!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Click below to listen to a recording of this passage. &nbsp; What is a semicolon? Is it a period? Is it a comma?\u00a0 Many people think you can use it in place of a period or comma wherever you want, but that\u2019s a mistake. Some believe it works like a colon, but though it looks [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":422,"featured_media":4001,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-grammar"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.7 (Yoast SEO v21.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>When to use a Semicolon ; \u2014 A Definitive Guide - SpeakUp resources<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is a semicolon? Is it a period? 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