Everything English

The semicolon (;) is a sensible punctuation mark that connects two complete sentences and forms lists.

Looking at the semicolon (;), you will see it consists of a period (.) and a comma (,). Therefore, you could gather that when you reach a semicolon, you pause a bit longer than you would at a comma, but not quite as long as you would at a period.

Semicolon use #1: When using the semicolon to connect two complete sentences, you need to remember that the ideas must relate to one another.

Take a look at the examples below that show you how to correctly use a semicolon and how it is used incorrectly:

Correct: My kids love when I make peanut butter and banana sandwiches; my oldest son asks that he has one in his school lunch nearly every day.

Incorrect: Summer is my favorite time of year; I enjoy reading books.

Correct: Her first granddaughter inspired her to knit baby blankets; it led her to open a children’s boutique selling handmade baby items.

Incorrect: Gardening makes me relax and take in the fresh air; my 30^th birthday is around the corner.

The semicolon lets the reader know that more information is about to follow, which relates to what they just read.

Semicolon use #2: When using the semicolon to form lists, you need to remember that the semicolon separates the items listed.

Take a look at the examples below that show you how to correctly use a semicolon within a list of items:

Correct Example A: To have a successful marriage, both partners must keep in mind the following: 1) Respect each other; 2) Always be willing to compromise; 3) Share thoughts and feelings regularly; 4) Never be mad at the same time; and 5) Remember to do the little things that make your partner smile.

Correct Example B: I need to prepare a lot for my trip including packing my luggage, which is at my mom’s house; filling my gas tank before heading to the airport; cleaning out my refrigerator, to avoid coming back to spoiled food; and, making sure I have my passport and plane ticket.

Notice in Correct Example B that because commas were used within the listed items, semicolons were used to separate each specific listed item. Commas (,) would be used if it read like the following:

I need to prepare a lot for my trip including packing my luggage, filling my gas tank befored heading to the airport, cleaning out my refrigerator and making sure I have my passport and plane ticket.

The semicolon allows the reader to clearly distinguish the items within a list.