We can use either the semicolon there or the conjunction, but not both. Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses in place of a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses in place of a comma and a coordinating conjunction and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.
Make sure when you use the semicolon that the connection between the two independent clauses is clear without the coordinating conjunction. You can replace the comma and coordinating conjunction with a semicolon since the connection between the two independent clauses is clear without the coordinating conjunction.
Semicolons should not be used between a dependent clause and an independent clause. Use a semicolon between related sentences when the second sentence starts with either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression. Use a semicolon to replace a period between related sentences when the second sentence starts with either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression, such as for example, for instance, that is, besides, accordingly, furthermore, otherwise, however, thus, therefore.
Use a semicolon to replace a comma when you use a coordinating conjunction to link independent clauses that already contain commas. The comma in this case makes these independent clauses difficult to read because of the other commas in the clauses:. In this example, using a semicolon makes it easier to read the two independent clauses on either side of the coordinating conjunction:.
Use semicolons to replace commas when individual items in a series are long or contain commas. Use a semicolon instead of a comma to separate the items.
Since each of the elements in the list in the sentence above is complicated and has commas, it is difficult to figure out where one element ends and the next begins. Using semicolons between the lengthy elements helps the reader understand the separation, as shown in the example below:.
Take Quiz. Toggle Main Navigation Main Navigation. Topics Grammar Punctuation Organization Style. 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: I like cows, however, I hate the way they smell. Correct: I like cows; however, I hate the way they smell. 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: 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. Incorrect: Cows, though their bovine majesty has been on the wane in recent millennia, 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 millennia, are still one of the great species of this planet; domesticated, yet proud, they ruminate silently as we humans pass tumultuously by.
Incorrect: Because cows smell; they offend me. See below as to why:. Explanation: In general, I use semicolons for two purposes: to link together two sentences that are related without having the pause you get with a period, and to separate things in a list where commas are being used.
In the list example, I could say something like: I went to the pet store today and saw many animals that want a home: a blue, white, and orange parrot; a cute kitten, tabby kitten; a very playful, fun-loving puppy; and a small school of blue, red, and transparent fish. For the linking of sentences, let's see what happens if I use multiple semicolons: It was a dark and stormy night; a night of crashing skies and lashing rain; the skies opened and poured forth Neptunian waters while Vespian fire flashed across the inky heavens; Related questions What is the proper grammatical way to write "however"?
Is it "; however,"? Does the following sentence have any missing semicolons? If so, where?
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