How to Use Semicolons

Posted on 15 June, 2018

There are two main uses for semicolons:

  1. Used in place of a period, a semicolon joins two sentences when they are closely related.
  2. Used in place of a comma, semicolons act as super-commas when a list has one or more items with commas in them.

1) In the first use, there must be an independent clause (or complete sentence) on either side of the semicolon.

Details:

Make sure the words on either side of the semicolon can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Do not use a conjunction with your semicolon (or a semicolon with your conjunction), even if there’s an independent clause on either side of it. Conjunctions are words that connect clauses or sentences. Examples of conjunctions: and, but, for, if, yet, or, nor, so. These words offer less of a pause or break between the clauses than conjunctive adverbs do (see the next point), so there’s no need for stronger punctuation than a comma.

BUT, you can use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb, which is an adverb or adverbial phrase that is often used to join two clauses. The semicolon should only be used if the conjunctive adverb is joining two independent clauses. Examples of conjunctive adverbs: consequently, conversely, accordingly, thus, however, meanwhile, moreover, similarly, still, therefore.

Don’t use semicolons to introduce lists or quotations; that’s what a colon is for (sometimes).

Be sure that the two independent clauses on either side of the semicolon are closely related, so the semicolon makes more sense than a period. However, note that you are not ever required to use a semicolon in these cases; a period will still be correct and acceptable. The semicolon simply allows you to indicate more directly that the two sentences go together, or that the second one follows or results from the first.

Correct:

I love going to school; my professors are brilliant.

The report is finally in; the building’s collapse was caused by Thanos.

She found the restaurant’s view to be unparalleled; however, the food was atrocious.

“Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live; it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.” Oscar Wilde

Incorrect:

Many people think tigers make great pets; not true. (The phrase on the right side of the semicolon is not a complete sentence.)

I adore cake; but chocolate cake is my favorite. (The conjunction “but” means you don’t need a semicolon; a comma works fine here.)

There are three bridges across the river; the South Bridge, the Crawford Bridge, and the Chain Bridge. (The semicolon should actually be a colon. A semicolon can’t be used here because the material that follows the semicolon is not an independent clause–there is no verb.)

I’m going to finish writing my paper tonight; my mother is cooking chicken on the grill for dinner. (These two sentences aren’t related enough to warrant use of a semicolon.)

2) In the second use, when you have a list with commas in one or more of the items, you can use a semicolon like a super-comma to separate the items, for the sake of clarity.

Details:

Remember not to introduce lists with semicolons.

Use semicolons to separate all items in a list, even if not all of the items have commas in them (as in the third correct example below).

Correct:

On my business trip, I will visit Detroit, Michigan; Miami, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and Richmond, Virginia.

There are two ways to get to the theater: via the highway, using the Boulevard exit; or by taking Route 1, turning east on to Broad Street and then left onto Boulevard.

Jason and I had a meeting where we discussed his problem with lateness; his excessive smoke breaks; and his habit of taking other people’s staplers, notepads, and pens.

“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.” – Thomas Alva Edison

Incorrect:

My favorite places to go for hikes near Richmond are Belle Isle, Pocahontas State Park; and The York River State Park, which is north of Williamsburg.

NOTE: If you’re uncomfortable with semicolons, you only have to use them for use number two: between items in a list where one or more of the items contains commas.

Think you’ve got it? Give this short quiz a try and test your understanding of how and when to use semicolons:

Additional resources:

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