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Semicolons to extend a sentence




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


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.

Like dear St Francis of Assisi I am wedded to Poverty; but in my case the marriage is not a success.   (Oscar Wilde)

To lose one parent, Mr Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like
carelessness. (Oscar Wilde)

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.

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. (Winston Churchill)

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 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. It is also possible to link two sentences with words like 'and', 'or' and 'but'. You cannot use a comma to link two sentences. This is a very common mistake called a run-on error. 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.

See also:

Extend a sentence
Run-on error with a comma
Using semicolons before conjunctions (and, or, but, etc.)
Using semicolons before transitional phrases (e.g. however)
Using semicolons in lists

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