Semicolons
A semicolon indicates a
stronger pause than a comma.
1. Use a semicolon to separate independent
clauses that are not joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
Ex:
Ricky sat quietly in the
back, and he took thorough notes.
Ricky sat quietly in the
back; he took thorough notes.
2. Use a semicolon between two independent
clauses that are separated by a conjunctive adverb.
Ex:
Martin woke up an hour
late. He broke every speed limit law on
the way to class.
Martin woke up an hour
late; therefore, he broke every speed limit law on the way to class.
3. Use a semicolon to separate main clauses
joined by a coordinating conjunction if one or both of the clauses contains
distracting commas.
Ex:
Raquel, who had been
there before, was not overwhelmed by the show, which had not changed at all;
but Blanca, who had never seen the show, thought it was fantastic.
4. Use a semicolon to separate items that
already include commas.
Ex:
Desiree had visited
Reno, Nevada; Sacramento, California; and Olympia,