Should i use a semi colon

We can go to the museum to do some research; Mondays are pretty quiet there. Remember, semicolons are not interchangeable with commas or periods. Sounds pretty cunning to us. You can use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses.

Martha has gone to the library; Andrew has gone to play soccer. Notice that the letter following the semicolon is not capitalized. The examples above are both made up of two complete, grammatically correct sentences glued together.

Yes, that means there are six total sentences up there—and thanks to the semicolon, only two capital letters. Using a comma instead of a semicolon in the sentences above would result in a comma splice. I saw a magnificent albatross; it was eating a mouse. You need a comma plus something to avoid a comma splice. That something can either be the right conjunction or the period that turns a comma into a semicolon.

If semicolons can link independent clauses that would otherwise have a period or a conjunction between them, that means they can demonstrate contrast, too. To summarize, a semicolon links up two related ideas by narrowing the gap between the ideas of two separate sentences or by replacing a conjunction between two related ideas. I'm grammargirl on Twitter and my Facebook page is facebook.

Common Coordinating Conjunctions Common Conjunctive Adverbs Common Transitional Phrases Use these with commas to join main clauses Use these with semicolons to join main clauses Use these with semicolons to join main clauses and accordingly after all but again as a matter of fact nor also as a result or besides at any rate so consequently at the same time yet finally even so for furthermore for example hence for instance however in addition incidentally in conclusion indeed in fact likewise in other words moreover in the first place namely in the meantime nevertheless of course nonetheless on the contrary otherwise on the other hand similarly still that is then therefore thus More Semicolon-Related Reading France Debates the Future of the Semicolon April 4, Celebrating the Semicolon in a Most Unlikely Location February 18, Has Modern Life Killed the Semicolon June 20, And Now He's Dead: Semicolon; Punctuation Mark April 7, The End of the Line?

Her popular LinkedIn Learning courses help people write better to communicate better. Jump to Navigation. How to Use Semicolons. A memory trick and chart will help you remember how to use semicolons. By Mignon Fogarty Grammar Girl. September 11, Here's an example:. The End of the Line? April 7, About the Author. Follow Facebook Linkedin Pinterest. Incorrect: This assignment is extra credit only; but we still need to hand it in. Correcting the Problem Even though the two clauses in the sentence above are related, we cannot use a semicolon there because the clauses are joined by the coordinating conjunction but.

Rule to Remember Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses in place of a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Correct: This assignment is extra credit only, but we still need to hand it in. Correct: This assignment is extra credit only; however, we still need to hand it in. Semicolons with independent clauses 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.

Correct: John finished all his homework, but Kathleen did not finish hers. 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 Correct: John finished all his homework; Kathleen did not finish hers.

Incorrect: Although Nate is a kind employee; that new guy is not. Rule to Remember Use a semicolon between related sentences when the second sentence starts with either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression. Correct: Although Nate is a kind employee, that new guy is not. Semicolons with conjunctive adverbs and transitional expressions 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.

Conjunctive Adverb: Correct: Kathleen worked for many hours on all her homework; nevertheless, she was unable to finish all of it. Correct: Harvey is a good driver; moreover, he is a friendly one. Transitional Expression: Correct: Tony finished reading three novels this week; in contrast, Joan finished only one novel. Semicolons used to replace commas 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: Incorrect: My dog is sick. She won't eat, run around, or jump, nor will she go for a walk with me.