Semicolon before a Conjunction
When a sentence contains commas, it is possible to use a semicolon before a
co-ordinate conjunction (i.e., one that joins two sentences - see right) to outrank the other commas in the sentence.
Examples:
 In fact, rather surprisingly, the majestic pike is hardly used in cooking today; but
in Victorian times, pastry-topped pike was a very common dish. 
(Semicolon used before "but" to outrank the other commas in the sentence)
semicolon
used before 'but' to outrank
the other commas (correct usage)
(magazine article)
As the Dutch captain wrote the order banning the killing of the dodos, his
sailors had the last one in their sights; and, as the muskets sounded, dodos were gone
forever.
(semicolon before "and")
Shakespeare, a great dramatist, wrote a great many plays; and he wrote a
number of sonnets too.
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CO-ORDINATE CONJUNCTION?
Words like 'and', 'but' and 'or' are called 'conjunctions'. Sometimes (as in the examples below), they join two sentences together to form one. When conjunctions are used in this way, they are called
'co-ordinate conjunctions' and should be preceded by a comma.
 She cannot abide tennis, but she loves watching golf.
(Sentence 1: "She cannot abide tennis".
Sentence 2: "She loves watching golf.")
("but" merges two sentences - comma required)
I may consider your plan, or I may stick with mine.
("or" - co-ordinate conjunction - comma required)
Note: The word 'co-ordinate' just means 'of equal rank'. In these sentences, both halves are considered to be the same rank (i.e.,
they are both full sentences).
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OLD FASHIONED?
You do not have to use a semicolon; a comma will suffice. Many people consider it old fashioned to use a semicolon before a co-ordinate conjunction.
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Common grammar errors
