I believed that most of you guys have seen semicolon, but you may not be very clear with the rules of using it. They’re somewhere in between the commas and periods: stronger than a comma but not quite as divisive as a period. However, they are not interchangeable. Here are the rules for using semicolons correctly.
1. Connect Related Independent Clauses
You can use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses. It can replace linking words like and, but, or, so, yet.
I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch; life’s too short for counting calories.
Money is the root of all evil; I don’t believe the reverse is necessarily true.
2. Use in a serial list
You can use semicolons to divide the items of a list if the items are long or contain internal punctuation.
Our plan included having a picnic at the park; making dinner together at home; and throwing a house party with a few friends.
My plan included taking him to a nice dinner; going to the park to look at the stars; and back home.
3. Use with conjunctive adverbs
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, etc.
The students had been advised against walking alone at night; however, Cathy decided walking wasn’t dangerous if it was early in the evening.
We haven’t spoken to each other for a long time; moreover, we weren’t exactly friends back then, either.
