Merge Two Sentences with a Semicolon
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.
slight breaks preferable to
new sentences (The semicolons are okay.)
(magazine article)
The manager did not approve the plan; he suggested several changes.
Semicolons Can Replace Conjunctions
Semicolons can be used to replace words like 'and', 'but' and 'or'. (These are 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
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.
For example:
 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.
I arranged to meet Jeremy (the new gamekeeper) on the
hour, he will have
gone home by 10 past.
|
|
Common grammar errors
