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Semi Colon

The semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark that separates major sentence elements or closely related independent clauses not joined by a conjunction. It can also be used to separate items in a list when the elements contain internal punctuation. Semicolons connect related independent clauses and should not be used with conjunctions. They are also used with conjunctive adverbs and in lists to avoid confusion from internal commas.

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202 views

Semi Colon

The semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark that separates major sentence elements or closely related independent clauses not joined by a conjunction. It can also be used to separate items in a list when the elements contain internal punctuation. Semicolons connect related independent clauses and should not be used with conjunctions. They are also used with conjunctive adverbs and in lists to avoid confusion from internal commas.

Uploaded by

Jopax Caneda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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;

The semicolon or semi-


colon (;) is a punctuation
mark that separates major
sentence elements.
A semicolon can be used between
two closely related independent
clauses, provided they are not
already joined by a coordinating
conjunction.

Semicolons can also be used in place


of commas to separate the items in a
list, particularly when the elements of
that list contain commas
1. Between items in a series or
listing containing internal
punctuation, especially
parenthetic commas, where the
semicolons function as serial
commas
Example:
1. The people present were Jamie, a man
from New Zealand; John, the milkman's
son; and George, a gaunt kind of man
with no friends.

2.Several fast food restaurants can be


found within the following cities:
London, England; Paris, France; Dublin,
Ireland; Madrid, Spain.
2. Between closely related
independent clauses not
conjoined with a coordinating
conjunction, when the two
clauses are balanced, opposed
or contradictory.
Example:
1. My wife would like tea; I would
prefer coffee.

2. I went to the basketball court; I


was told it was closed for
cleaning.
3. When a comma replaces a
period (full stop) in a quotation,
or when a quotation otherwise
links two independent
sentences:
Example:
1. "I have no use for this," he said;
"you are welcome to it.“

2. "Is this your book?" she asked;


"I found it on the floor."
Rules In Using
A
Semicolon
1. Semicolons Connect Related
Independent Clauses
use a semicolon to join two closely related
independent clauses. The group of words that
comes before the semicolon should form a
complete sentence, the group of words that
comes after the semicolon should form a
complete sentence, and the two sentences should
share a close, logical connection:
Example:
1. I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch;
life’s too short for counting calories.

2. Martha has gone to the library; Andrew


has gone to play soccer.
2. Delete the Conjunction
When You Use A semicolon
A semicolon isn’t the only thing that can link
two independent clauses. Conjunctions(and,
but, and or) can do that too. But you shouldn’t
use a semicolon and a conjunction. That means
when you use a semicolon, you use it instead of
the ands, buts, and ors; you don’t need both.
Example:
I saw a magnificent albatross, and it was
eating a mouse.

I saw a magnificent albatross; it was eating


a mouse.
3. Use Semicolons in a Serial
List
You can use semicolons to divide the
items of a list if the items are long or
contain internal punctuation. In these
cases, the semicolon helps readers keep
track of the divisions between the items.
Example:
1. I need the weather statistics for the
following cities: London, England; London,
Ontario; Paris, France; Paris, Ontario; Perth,
Scotland; Perth, Ontario.
2. My plan included taking him to a nice—
though not necessarily expensive—dinner;
going to the park to look at the stars, which,
by the way, are amazing this time of year; and
serenading him with my accordion.
3. Use Semicolons With
Conjunctive Adverbs
 When you have a conjunctive
adverb linking two independent
clauses, you should use a semicolon.
Some common conjunctive adverbs
include moreover, nevertheless,
however, otherwise, therefore, then,
finally, likewise, and consequently.
Example:
1. I needed to go for a walk and get some
fresh air; also, I needed to buy milk

2. Reports of the damage caused by the


hurricane were greatly exaggerated; indeed,
the storm was not a “hurricane” at all.
Remember….
 Do not use a a capital letter after a
semicolon. A semicolon should be followed
by a capital letter only if the word is a
proper noun or an acronym.

 Semicolons are not interchangeable with


commas or periods. Instead, they’re
somewhere in between: stronger than a
comma but not quite as divisive as a period.

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