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Semicolons
This Page Includes...
What Are Semicolons? (with Examples)
A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark used:- In complex lists
- When a slight break is preferable to new sentence
- Before conjunctions (e.g., and, or, but) in certain circumstances.
How Semicolons Are Used
Here is a quick overview on how semicolons are used:(1) In complex lists (i.e., when the list items themselves contain commas).
Semicolons can be used to outrank any commas which appear in list items.
- The dinner guests will be Lord Loxley, aged 91; Lady Loxley, aged 41; and Master Loxley, aged 42
- Lord Loxley, aged 91
- Lady Loxley, aged 41
- Master Loxley, aged 42
Not all list items have to have commas to justify using semicolons. Only one does. For example:
- Lord Loxley, aged 91; Lady Loxley; and Master Loxley
(2) To merge two sentences into one to create a smooth transition between the sentences.
Most sentences start with a capital and end with a full stop


- Jane was one of the lucky ones. She only had to sit through it twice.
- Jane was one of the lucky ones; she only had to sit through it twice.
- Jane was one of the lucky ones, she only had to sit through it twice.
Often, when merging two sentences into one, the second sentence will start with a bridging phrase (or a "transitional phrase" as it's called). Common ones are "However," "As a result," "Consequently," and "Therefore."
On occasion, a transitional phrase can be preceded by semicolon to create a smoother transition than a full stop / period.
- Vacation used to be a luxury. However, in today's world, it has become a necessity.
- Vacation used to be a luxury; however, in today's world, it has become a necessity.
- Vacation used to be a luxury, however, in today's world, it has become a necessity.
Read more about semicolons before transitional phrases
Read more about run-on sentences
(3) Before a conjunction
Often two sentences are merged into one using a coordinate conjunction (a word like "and," "or," "but"). For example:
- Lee loves pies. He loves cakes.
- Lee loves pies, and he loves cakes. (The conjunction "and" is used to merge the sentences into one. When using a conjunction for this purpose, use a comma before the conjunction.)
- With a fridge full of cheese-and-onion pies, Lee obviously loves pies; but he prefers, from what I have seen, Eccles cakes.
Read more about semicolons before conjunctions
Other Punctuation Marks
Here is a slider with lessons to the other punctuation marks:- Use semicolons like caviar not salt. They're great, but use them sparingly!
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