How to use semicolons

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Semicolons can be used to separate items in a list.

1. Items in lists are usually separated with commas (as in the first example below). However, if the list items themselves contain commas, then semicolons can be used as separators.

Examples:
I have been to Newcastle, Carlisle and York.

(comma used to separate list items)
I have been to Newcastle, Carlisle and York in the North; Bristol, Exeter and
Portsmouth in the South; and Cromer, Norwich and Lincoln in the East.

(semicolons used to separate the list items as they contain commas)

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HIERARCHY OF PUNCTUATION

In complex lists like the one below, semicolons are used to separate the list items, because commas are used within the list items. Brackets are also used to add information within the list items.

The guests of honour at the dinner will be Dr Alfred Peebles, the
       expedition leader; Mr Donald Keen, an experienced mountaineer
       (the latest addition to the expedition); Mrs Susan Honeywell,
       ornithologist from the RSPCB (Mr Keen's fiancée); and Capt. John
       Trimble, the base-camp commander.

Initially, separate list items with commas in the normal way. However, if you then find that one of your list items contains a comma, you should "promote" the other commas to semicolons.

Bread, milk, butter, cheese, lamb, beef and onions

Break, milk, butter and cheese from the corner shop; lamb and
beef from the market; and onions from your uncle's stall

You should choose ham, chicken or char-grilled vegetable sandwiches; cups
of tea, Bovril or coffee (if you don't mind them lukewarm); or red wine (one
of the few options that's drinkable when lukewarm). ^{(Mini Test)}

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A sentence can be extended with a semicolon when a slight break is preferable to a new sentence.

1. On occasion, a writer may decide that the next sentence is so closely connected to the previous one that a slight break is more appropriate than a new sentence. A semicolon can be used for this purpose.

Examples:
No one was seriously hurt in the accident; one man suffered a broken finger.

The meeting is scheduled for 4 o'clock; this represents a change to the time on
the agenda.

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The manager did not approve the plan; he suggested several changes.

2. Semicolons can be used to replace words like "and", "but" and "or". (These all called "Conjunctions".)

Examples:
The manager did not approve the plan; he suggested several changes.

(In this example, ", but" could be written in the place of the semicolon.)
Craig joined the Army; Darren joined the Marines.

(semicolon replaces ", but")
Eat oranges throughout the journey; you may catch scurvy.

(semicolon replaces ", or")

IN SUMMARY OF POINTS 1 AND 2

You can merge two sentences together with a semicolon. The second sentence is usually short and closely connected to the first.

OVERKILL

Using a semicolon to extend a sentence is a very handy. However, if you find yourself using them regularly, you should probably adjust the style of your writing.

NOT A COMMA

It is possible to link two sentences together with a semicolon and with words like "and", "or" and "but". You cannot use a comma. This is a very common mistake.
Elsa wrote many children's novels, she also wrote fifteen
horrors.

The Loch Ness Monster was spotted 8 times in the 1960s, I
camped there for a year and did not see it once, I caught dozens
of trout though.

The sales team meet in the new presentation room on Tuesdays; the floor
managers meet on Wednesdays. ^{(Mini Test)}
I arranged to meet Jeremy (the new gamekeeper) on the hour, he will have
gone home by 10 past. ^{(Mini Test)}

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Use a semicolon before transitional phrases.

1. This point is closely related to Section 2 above as it concerns merging two sentences to form one. However, in these examples, there is a short bridge between the first half and the second half. The bridge is known as a "transitional phrase". There is always a comma after a transitional phrase. (The transitional phrases are shown in bold below.)

Examples:
Everyone knows he is guilty; of course, it will never be proved.

       (The transitional phrase "of course" acts like a bridge between the first half and
       the second half.)
Sarah's guest was turned away by the doorman; as a result, she left before
       the presentations.

("as a result" - transitional phrase)
Business is booming; for example, Siemens have made 10 orders since
4 o'clock.

("for example" - transitional phrase)
I missed the early plane; however, I still made the meeting.

("however" - transitional phrase)
The paper is stuck in the lift; consequently, we cannot finish the printing.

("consequently" - transitional phrase)
She does not loathe chess, on the contrary, she quite likes it.

       (The term "on the contrary" is a transitional phrase. You cannot merge two
       sentences into one with a comma. You must either start a new sentence or
       use a semicolon.)
My security guards are not trained in fire-fighting; therefore, we paged the
       fire service. ^{(Mini Test)}

	DEFINITELY NOT A COMMA Transitional phrases are common. Most of the time, a transitional phrase will start a new sentence. However, you can use a semicolon if you wish to bring it closer to the original sentence. You cannot do this with a comma. This is a very common mistake. It is extremely foggy, nevertheless, the game will be played.
	MAIN CULPRIT IS "HOWEVER" The error described above is called a "comma fault". This error is most commonly seen with the word "however". I am leaving on Tuesday, however, I will be back on Wednesday to collect my wages. I am leaving on Tuesday; however, I will be back on Wednesday to collect my wages. I am leaving on Tuesday. However, I will be back on Wednesday to collect my wages.
	COMMA AFTER "SO" When the word "so" is used to mean "therefore", it is a transitional phrase and should be preceded by a comma. We are not in a position to fund the changes. So, the current system will remain until at least April when it will be reviewed again.

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Semicolons can be used before conjunctions (words like "and", "but" and "or"), particularly when there are other commas present.

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).

1. The examples above are quite simple. However, sentences are often more complicated and may contain commas for other reasons. (See lesson "Commas".) When this happens, you can use a semicolon before a co-ordinate conjunction 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)

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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. ^{(Mini Test)}

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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