Semicolons to extend a sentence

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.

slight breaks preferable to new sentences (The semicolons are okay.)
(magazine article)

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

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.

I arranged to meet Jeremy (the new gamekeeper) on the hour, he will have
gone home by 10 past.

Associated lessons:

Extend a sentence
Using semicolons before conjunctions (and, or, but, etc.)
Using semicolons before transitional phrases (e.g. however)
Using semicolons in lists