semicolons

Don't use semicolons with conjunctions

Conjunctions are words like and, or, nor, for, so, and yet. My aunt's hairy knuckles are magnificent indeed, but I have no desire to stroke them. ^ a comma is used bc there is a but seperating the two clauses

She said she loved the book, so I gave it to her.

use a comma to separate two sentences joined by coordinating conjunctions such as and, but, or, so, for, nor.

What is a purpose of a semi colon?

The most common way to use a semicolon is to connect two independent clauses for example: "The icecream truck man drove by my house today. he had big hairy knuckles The two statements separated by a period would sound something like this: "The ice cream truck man drove by my house today. *takes a breathe* He had big hairy knuckles With a semicolon, however, it would sound like this: "The icecream truck man drove by my house today;he had big hairy knuckles Basically semi colons eliminate the pause between the two statements without using and, but, nor, yet

Some people write with a word processor, typewriter, or a computer; but others, for different reasons, choose to write with a pen or pencil.

Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if the clauses are already punctuated with commas or if the clauses are lengthy.

Incorrect: I like cows: they give us milk, which tastes good, they give us beef, which also tastes good, and they give us leather, which is used for shoes and coats. Correct: I like cows: they give us milk, which tastes good; they give us beef, which also tastes good; and they give us leather, which is used for shoes and coats.

What's going on here? It's unclear what the three list items are, since the items are separated by commas

pause

comma- brief pause semicolon- moderate pause period- complete stop

Some people write with a word processor; others write with a pen or pencil.

A semicolon is most commonly used to link (in a single sentence) two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. When a semicolon is used to join two or more ideas (parts) in a sentence, those ideas are then given equal position or rank.

The American flag has three colors: red, white, and blue.

Explanation: use a colon after a complete sentence to introduce any list.

You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.

Explanation: use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two closely related sentences.

How do i use a semicolon?

IF you have two independable clauses, meaning they could stand alone as their own sentence, it is ok to use a semicolon Ex: My aunt also had hairy knuckles; she loved to wash and comb them. "My aunt also had hairy knuckles;" This is an independent clause, meaning it could stand alone as a complete sentence. ";she loved to wash and comb them." this is also an independent clause.

There are basically two ways to write: with a pen or pencil, which is inexpensive and easily accessible; or by computer and printer, which is more expensive but quick and neat.

Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the items contain commas.

But however they choose to write, people are allowed to make their own decisions; as a result, many people swear by their writing methods.

Use a semicolon between two independent clauses that are connected by conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases.

when should i use a semicolon

Use a semicolon when you want to form a bond between two staements, typically when they are related to or contrast with one another. If the two statements do not relate, use a period.

Incorrect: The cow is brown, it is also old. Correct: The cow is brown; it is also old.

What's going on here? Both parts of the sentence are independent clauses, and commas should not be used to connect independent clauses if there is no coordinating conjunction. This mistake is known as a comma splice.

Incorrect: Cows, though their bovine majesty has been on the wane in recent millenia, are still one of the great species of this planet, domesticated, yet proud, they ruminate silently as we humans pass tumultuously by. Correct: Cows, though their bovine majesty has been on the wane in recent millenia, are still one of the great species of this planet; domesticated, yet proud, they ruminate silently as we humans pass tumultuously by.

What's going on here? It's unclear where the first independent clause ends and the second independent clause begins.

Incorrect: I like cows, however, I hate the way they smell. Correct: I like cows; however, I hate the way they smell.

What's going on here? The conjunctive adverb however signals a connection between two independent clauses, and commas should not be used to connect independent clauses if there is no coordinating conjunction.

Incorrect: Because cows smell; they offend me. Correct: Because cows smell, they offend me.

What's going on here? The first part is not an independent clause, so no semicolon is required.

use a semi colon as a super comma

use a semicolon if you need to make a list of items in which the items contain commas. This often occurs when listing locations, names, dates, and descriptions

I have been to San Francisco, California; Reno, Nevada; and Seattle, Washington.

use the semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas.