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Semicolons are used to connect two related independent
clauses.
• One minute, Clarence was doing the
electric slide; the next minute, he was sulking in the corner.
A semicolon must be used before these adverbs if they
separate independent clauses: besides, however, indeed, then, therefore.
• That tinsel costs too much; besides,
it looks tacky.
• Sly planned on asking Rachel to the
dance; however, he chickened out at the last minute.
• Your outfit is shocking; indeed, it’s
the least fashionable ensemble I’ve ever seen.
Use a semicolon before that is, for
example, and similar expressions to avoid run-on sentences.
Run-On: Our mothers
agreed, that is, they caved in after we whined and complained for
weeks.• Our mothers agreed; that is, they caved
in after we whined and complained
for weeks.
Lists with commas
If items in a list are clauses that are punctuated
with commas, separate the clauses with semicolons.
• Nanette despairingly considered her
red heels, which had a hole in the toe; her ballet flats, which
were tattered; and her clogs, which gave her terrible blisters.
If items in a list are groups that are punctuated with
commas, you should separate the groups with semicolons.
• Laura has it all: brains, wit, and
courage; sparkling dark eyes, long brown limbs, and a mane of chestnut
hair; and glittering prospects.
Lists with Lengthy Items
For clarity, you may also choose to separate lengthy
items with semicolons.
• Cherry slowly realized that her air
conditioner was broken beyond repair; that her sole fan was stored
thousands of miles away in the farthest reaches of her parents’
basement; and that the weather forecast was for intense humidity
and temperatures in the mid-nineties.
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