Semicolons
Another punctuation mark that you will encounter is the semicolon (;). Like most punctuation marks, the semicolon can be used in a variety of ways. The semicolon indicates a break in a sentence, but functions differently than a period or a comma.
Semicolons to Join Two Independent Clauses
Use a semicolon to combine two closely related independent clauses. Relying on a period to separate the related clauses into two shorter sentences is technically correct, but in some cases it could make the idea seem disconnected unintentionally. Using a comma would create a error called a comma splice (see the section Common Sentence Errors for more information).
Correct: Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview; appearances are important.
Correct but disconnected: Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview. Appearances are important.
Incorrect: Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview, appearances are important.
In this case, writing the independent clauses as two sentences separated by a period is correct. However, using a semicolon to combine the clauses can help you add variety to your sentence lengths and structures while preserving the connection of ideas.
Semicolons to Join Items in a List
You can also use a semicolon to join items in a list when the items in the list already include commas. Semicolons help the reader distinguish between such items in the list.
Correct: The color combinations we can choose from are black, white, and grey; green, brown, and black; or red, green, and brown.
Incorrect: The color combinations we can choose from are black, white, and grey, green, brown, and black, or red, green, and brown.
By using semicolons in this sentence, the reader can easily distinguish between the three sets of colors.
Exercise 1
Correct the following sentences by adding semicolons. If the sentence is correct as it is, write OK.
- I did not notice that you were in the office I was behind the front desk all day.
- Do you want turkey, spinach, and cheese roast beef, lettuce, and cheese or ham, tomato, and cheese?
- Please close the blinds there is a glare on the screen.
- Unbelievably, no one was hurt in the accident.
- I cannot decide if I want my room to be green, brown, and purple green, black, and brown or green, brown, and dark red.
- Let’s go for a walk the air is so refreshing.
