Using Semicolons
The Quick Answer
Semicolons are used:- In lists when the list items contain commas. (e.g., Brian, the officer in charge; Mark, the chef; and Ollie, my dog
- To create a smoother transition between sentences, particularly when the second starts with a phrase like however or as a result. (e.g., It was freezing; however, we still enjoyed it.
- Before a conjunction that merges two sentences containing commas. (e.g., Yesterday, it was, to our surprise, sunny; but today, as expected, it's dull.



- For introductions. (e.g., I would blame one thing for my divorce; beer.

(It should be a colon.)
Using Semicolons
Semicolons are used for making lists clearer and for controlling the flow of text from one sentence to the next.Using Semicolons in Lists

- the master, the servant, and the cook
- the master, aged 81; the servant, aged 19; and the cook, aged 31
- the master, aged 81; the servant; and the cook
- the master, aged 81 (82 next week); the servant; and the cook
Read more about semicolons in lists
Using a Semicolon to Merge Two Sentences



- It was serious. She broke a toe.
- It was serious; she broke a toe.
Be aware that you cannot create a smooth transition between two sentences with a comma. For example:
- It was serious, she broke a toe.
Try to resist the urge to use semicolons for this purpose. Adjacent sentences are usually closely related. They don't all need semicolons between them. Keep this in your back pocket for occasional use. Use it for effect or to showcase your writing skills. If you use too many semicolons, you'll just annoy your readers.
Read more about using semicolons to extend a sentence
Using Semicolons before Transitional Phrases

These terms will normally start a sentence, but it is possible to create a smoother transition by replacing the full stop


- She broke her toe. As a result, the game was cancelled.
- She broke her toe; as a result, the game was cancelled.
- 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
Using Semicolons before Conjunctions

- Lee likes cake. He likes pies.
- Lee likes cake, and he likes pies. (Here, the conjunction and has been used to merge the two sentences into one.)
Now, when the sentences themselves contain commas, it is possible to outrank those commas by using a semicolon before the conjunction instead of a comma. For example:
- At the end of the day, Lee likes cake; and he likes, well, actually prefers, pies.
Read more about semicolons before conjunctions
More Resources to Help with Semicolons
(Resource 1) A Video Summarizing Semicolons
Here is a video summarizing this lesson on semicolons:(Resource 2) A Slide Show Explaining Semicolons
This five-slide presentation explains how to use semicolons:(Resource 3) An Infographic Explaining Semicolons
This infographic summarizes the use of semicolons:
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