By LIinda Ross

THE PROBLEM: Most people will go to college and never know when they should use a semicolon.

EXAMPLES:

1)      A Semicolon is used between closely related independent clauses (a simple sentence) not joined       with a coordinating conjunction (examples of coordinating conjunction: or, and, but).

Incorrect: Some students write with a word processor, some students write with a pen or pencil.

Corrected: Some students write with a word processor; some students write with a pen or pencil.

2) Semicolon is used between independent clauses linked with a transitional expression  (examples of a transitional expression: also, however, for example).

decisions, as a result, many students swear by their writing methods.Incorrect: However they choose to write, students are allowed to make their own 

      Correct : However they choose to write, students are allowed to make their own decisions; as a result, many students swear by their writing methods.

3) Semicolon is used between items in a series when the individual items contains internal punctuation.

Incorrect: Jim has recommended this student because he communicates well with other students, faculty, and staff, completes his assignments without difficulty and on time, and demonstrates an ability to organize people, materials, and time.

Correct: Jim has recommended this student because he communicates well with       other students, faculty, and staff; completes his assignments without difficulty  and on time; and demonstrates an ability to organize people, materials, and time.

HOW TO IDENTIFY WHERE AND WHEN TO USE A SEMICOLON

Step #1. Identify where independent clauses are in the sentence.

Step #2. Describe want indicates a close connection between the two independent clauses.

Step #3. A semicolon is used to connect two complete sentences. Use instead of a period  because they are close in meaning.

Step #4.  A semicolon is used to connect two complete sentences that are close in meaning and have a transitional expression.

(Examples of transitional expression: accordingly, also, anyway, besides, certainly, consequently, conversely, finally, furthermore, hence, however, incidentally, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, nonetheless, otherwise, similarly, specifically, still, subsequently, then therefore, thus, after all, as a matter of fact, as a result, at any rate, at the same time, even so, for example, for instance, in addition, in conclusion, in fact, in other words, in the first place, on the contrary, on the hand)

Step #5 If  you have a complicated or complex list of items, then consider if a semicolon will avoid confusion.

Step#6  A semicolon is used to avoid confusion when you have complicated list of items.

PRACTICE EXERCISE FOR SEMICOLONS

1.  The speakers today are Dr. Charles McCormick English, Dr. Michele Jetter Chemistry, Dr. Robert McGee Mathematics, and Dr. James Hedtke History.

2.  My son seldom goes to bed this early he's afraid he'll miss out on something.

3.  Mr. Genzel was a successful football coach for many years however he his unable to  win a game this year.

4.  Mom always likes to pet Sparkie after a long day at Cabrini College as a matter of fact she will pet Sparkie for an hour before bed. 

5.  Janet Jackson's concert will be traveling to Philadelphia Pennsylvania Brooklyn NewYork Los Angles California and Houston Texas.

6.  My ten year old son still sleeps with his special blanket he will let Sparkie sleep next      to him too.   

ANSWERS TO EXERCISE

1.  The speakers today are Dr. Charles McCormick, English; Dr. Michele Jetter, Chemistry;  Dr. Robert McGee, Mathematics; and Dr. James Hedtke, History.

(semicolon is used between items in a series when the individual items contain internal punctuation.)

2.  My son seldom goes to bed this early; he's afraid he'll miss out on something.

(semicolon is used between closely related independent clauses not joined with a coordinating conjunction.)

3.  Mr. Genzel was a successful football coach for many years; however, he his unable to  win a game this year.

(semicolon is used between independent clauses linked with a transitional expression.)

4.  Mom always likes to pet Sparkie after a long day at Cabrini College; as a matter of fact, she will pet Sparkie for an hour before bed. 

(semicolon is used between independent clauses linked with a transitional expression.)

5.  Janet Jackson's concert will be traveling to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Brooklyn, New York; Los Angles, California; and Houston, Texas.

(semicolon is used between items in a series when the individual items contain internal punctuation.)

6.  My ten year old son still sleeps with his special blanket; he will let Sparkie sleep next to him too.    

(semicolon is used between closely related independent clauses not joined with a coordinating conjunction.)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Relevant sections in the Bedford Handbook: