46 Semicolons
The semicolon is one of the most misunderstood and misused punctuation marks; in fact, it is often mistaken for the colon (which we’ll discuss next). However, these two punctuation marks are not interchangeable. A semicolon connects two complete ideas (a complete idea has a subject and a verb) that are connected to each other. Look at this sentence for example:
Anika’s statue is presently displayed in the center of the exhibit; this location makes it a focal point and allows it to direct the flow of visitors to the museum.
The first idea tells us where Anika’s statue is, and the second idea tells us more about the location and it’s importance. Each of these ideas could be its own sentence, but by using a semicolon, the author is telling the reader that the two ideas are connected. Often, you may find yourself putting a comma in the place of the semicolon; this is incorrect. Using a comma here would create a run-on sentence (we’ll discuss those more in Run-on Sentences). Remember: a comma can join a complete idea to other items while a semicolon needs a complete idea on either side.
The semicolon can also be used to separate items in a list when those items have internal commas. For example, say you’re listing a series of cities and their states, or you’re listing duties for a resume:
- As a photographer for National Geographic, Renato had been to a lot of different places including São Paulo, Brazil; Kobe, Japan; Kyiv, Ukraine; and Barcelona, Spain.
- As an engineering assistant, I had a variety of duties: participating in pressure ventilation surveys; completing daily drafting, surveying, and data compilation; and acting as a company representative during a roof-bolt pull test.
Practice
Do the following sentences need a comma or a semicolon?
- Kieran never throws anything away __ he’s convinced he’ll need these things someday.
- Because I left my keys at my apartment __ I had to stay on campus and wait for my roommate.
- Zebras are the most popular animals at my local zoo __ however __ elephants are my favorite animal.
- The company had four primary locations: Boston, Massachusetts __ San Antonio, Texas __ Chicago, Illinois __ and Little Rock, Arkansas.
Show Answers
- semicolon (;) A semicolon connects two independent clauses that are connected to each other.
- Kieran never throws anything away; he’s convinced he’ll need these things someday.
- comma (,) The conjunction because turns an independent clause into a dependent clause. Dependent clauses are followed by commas, not semicolons.
- Because I left my keys at my apartment, I had to stay on campus and wait for my roommate.
- semicolon (;) before and a comma (,) after A semicolon connects two independent clauses that are connected to each other. Clauses that begin with however are independent clauses.
- Zebras are the most popular animals at my local zoo; however, elephants are my favorite animal.
- semicolons (;) A semicolon can be used to separate items in a complex list.
- The company had four primary locations: Boston, Massachusetts; San Antonio, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; and Little Rock, Arkansas.