Semicolon

Semicolons help you connect closely related ideas when a style mark stronger than a comma 

is needed. By using semicolons effectively, you can make your 

writing sound more sophisticated.

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The semicolon is a punctuation mark with several uses. While terminal marks like full stops, exclamation marks, and question marks, mark the end of a sentence, the semicolon is normally a sentence internal, making it a secondary boundary mark. Semicolons are intermediate in between terminal marks; their strength is equal to that of the colon. 

Semicolons are followed by a lower case letter, unless that letter is the first letter of a proper noun like the word I or Paris.

Why should one use a semicolon?

The main task of the semicolon is to mark a break that is stronger than a comma but not as final as a full stop. It’s used between two main clauses that balance each other and are too closely linked to be made into separate sentences, as in these two examples:

• The road runs through a beautiful wooded valley; the railway line follows it.
• An art director searched North Africa; I went to the Canary Islands.

You can also use a semicolon as a stronger division in a sentence that already contains commas:

• The study showed the following: 76% of surveyed firms monitor employee Web-surfing activities, with 65% blocking access to unauthorised Internet locations; over one-third of the firms monitor employee computer keystrokes; half reported storing and reviewing employee emails; 57% monitor employee telephone behaviour, including the inappropriate use of voice mail.

Why use a semicolon instead of a full stop?

The semi-colon is used in a sentence when there is a pause which is longer than a comma, but shorter than a full stop. A semi-colon can be used instead of a full stop when the two parts of the sentence are too closely related in meaning to be put into separate sentences.

• We did not go into the theatre before our friends arrived; instead, we waited outside.

Semi-colons can also be used between items on a list, when the items consist of a number of words, or when the use of commas alone would be confusing.

• The committee consisted of Carol Jones, the staff representative; Bill Johnson, the boss; Terry Smith, the local doctor; Murray Todd, the fisherman; and Mary Renshaw, the cook.

A semicolon can also be used before a transition (connecting) word or phrase. The transition words you are probably most familiar with include however, therefore, hence, thus, consequently, nevertheless and meanwhile.

• It was the best of times; however, it was also the worst of times.

Semicolon usage

Link two independent clauses to connect closely related ideas.

• Some people write with a word processor; others write with a pen or pencil.

Link clauses connected by conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases to connect closely related ideas.

• But however they choose to write, people are allowed to make their own decisions; as a result, many people swear by their writing methods.

Link lists where the items contain commas to avoid confusion between list items.

• There are basically two ways to write: with a pen or pencil, which is inexpensive and easily accessible; or by computer and printer, which is more expensive but quick and neat.

Link lengthy clauses or clauses with commas to avoid confusion between clauses.

• Some people write with a word processor, typewriter, or a computer; but others, for different reasons, choose to write with a pen or pencil.

Avoid using a comma when a semicolon is needed:

• Incorrect: The cow is brown, it is also old.
• Correct: The cow is brown; it is also old.