THE SEMICOLON                                                      Writing Center Home

• Use a semicolon to separate main clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction.
  

When two main clauses in a sentence are not linked by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet), they are separated by a semicolon.

Ex: There are six museums in the city; the largest is the Museum of Fine Arts.

Hint-- If commas were used in place of the semicolons, the result would be a comma splice.

• Use a semicolon to separate main clauses related by a conjunctive adverb.

The conjunctive adverbs include however, indeed, moreover, and nonetheless, etc. Since conjunctive adverbs are not conjunctions, clauses whose ideas they connect must be separated with semicolons.

Ex: The reporters waited for an explanation of the policy change; indeed, they felt they were entitled to it.
Manufacturers each year recall more cars with defects; the number of faulty and even dangerous cars on the road, however, is still alarming.

Hint--The conjunctive adverb may fall in several places. If it follows the semicolon, it is generally followed by a comma. If it falls elsewhere in the clause, it is generally preceded and followed by commas.

Use a semicolon to separate main clauses if they are very long and complex or if they contain commas, even when they are joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Ex: The caterer arrived on time, and the food she served was delicious; but the guests had to drink from plastic cups because she forgot to bring glasses.

-A semicolon signals a longer pause and can make the clauses easier to read.

Use semicolons to separate items in a series if they are long or contain commas.

Ex: The staff especially wishes to thank N.M. Matson, mayor; "Lima Bean" Horton, deputy mayor; Axel Garcia, police chief; and Norma Smith, school provost.

(adapted from The Little, Brown Workbook, Fourth Edition.)