Incorrect: Because cows smell; they offend me. Correct: Because cows smell, they offend me. The first part is not an independent clause, so no semicolon is required. This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
U niversity of W isconsin —Madison. Rules for Using Semicolons 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. Some people write with a word processor; others write with a pen or pencil. Use a semicolon between two independent clauses that are connected by conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases.
Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the items contain commas. The semicolon keeps the clauses somewhat separate, like a period would do, so we can easily tell which ideas belong to which clause. But it also suggests that there may be a close relationship between the two clauses—closer than you would expect if there were a period between them.
Here are a few fine independent clauses, standing on their own as complete sentences:. I went to the grocery store today. I bought a ton of fruit. Apples, grapes, and pears were on sale. Now—where could semicolons fit in here? They could be used to join two but not all three of the independent clauses together. So either of these pairs of sentences would be okay:.
I went to the grocery store today; I bought a ton of fruit. Apples, grapes, and pears were all on sale. I bought a ton of fruit; apples, grapes, and pears were all on sale. I went to the grocery store today; I bought a ton of fruit; apples, grapes, and pears were all on sale.
But why would I want to use a semicolon here, anyway? One reason might have to do with style: the three short sentences sound kind of choppy or abrupt. A stronger reason might be if I wanted to emphasize a relationship between two of the sentences. Colons follow independent clauses clauses that could stand alone as sentences and can be used to present an explanation, draw attention to something, or join ideas together. You can use a colon to draw attention to many things in your writing.
We covered many of the fundamentals in our writing class: grammar, punctuation, style, and voice. To join sentences. You can use a colon to connect two sentences when the second sentence summarizes, sharpens, or explains the first. Both sentences should be complete, and their content should be very closely related. Note that if you use colons this way too often, it can break up the flow of your writing. To express time, in titles, and as part of other writing conventions.
Colons appear in several standard or conventional places in writing. Here are a few examples:. You can use semicolons to divide the items of a list if the items are long or contain internal punctuation. In these cases, the semicolon helps readers keep track of the divisions between the items. My plan included taking him to a nice—though not necessarily expensive—dinner; going to the park to look at the stars, which, by the way, are amazing this time of year; and serenading him with my accordion.
Yup, that was one now. When you have a conjunctive adverb linking two independent clauses, you should use a semicolon. Some common conjunctive adverbs include moreover, nevertheless, however, otherwise, therefore, then, finally, likewise, and consequently. I needed to go for a walk and get some fresh air; also, I needed to buy milk.
These words sometimes show up in other parts of a sentence; therefore, the semicolon rule only applies if it helps the conjunctive adverb join two independent clauses. See what we did there? This conjunctive adverb rule is similar to the conjunction rule. In both cases, check that the two ideas are independent clauses that could stand on their own as sentences.
Emoticons will never replace a solid knowledge of the English language. But they can sure spice it up from time to time. Or on top of your parenthetical smile.
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