Using Semicolons

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The Rules for Using Semicolons

Semicolons are like soft periods (full stops) because a semicolon can be used to merge two "sentences" into one. For example:

• Never pick a fight with an ugly person; they have nothing to lose.
(A semicolon gives a smoother transition than a period.)

Semicolons are also like hard commas because they can be used to separate list items (especially when the list items contain commas). For example:

• I will contact Matt, the baker; Simon, the butcher; and Janet, the lawyer.
(Notice that the list items contain commas, e.g., "Matt, the baker.")

Four Ways to Use Semicolons

Semicolons are used in four ways:

(1) To separate list items (when the list items contain commas).

• Brian, the officer in charge; Mark, the chef; and Dexter, my dog

(2) To create a smoother transition between two sentences.

• Write with the door closed; rewrite with the door open. (Author Stephen King)

(3) To create a smooth transition into a sentence starting with a transitional phrase (e.g., "however," "as a result").

• It was freezing; however, we still enjoyed it.

(4) To merge two comma-filled sentences joined with a conjunction (e.g., "and," "or," "but").

• Yesterday, it was, to our surprise, sunny; but today, as expected, it's dull.

Use of Semicolons Explained in Detail

Below are more details and more examples covering the four uses of the semicolon.

(1) Using Semicolons to Separate List Items

Semicolons can be used in lists to outrank any commas that appear in list items. That's less complicated than it sounds.

This is a normal list:

• the master, the servant, and the cook

In a normal list, the list items are separated by commas. However, sometimes the list items themselves contain commas. When this happens, you can use semicolons to separate them. For example:

• the master, aged 81; the servant, aged 19; and the cook, aged 31

Not all of your list items have to contain commas to justify using semicolons. In fact, only one does. For example:

• the master, aged 81; the servant; and the cook

You can also use parentheses (i.e., brackets) if you need to add more information. For example:

• the master, aged 81 (82 next week); the servant; and the cook

Lists can get quite complicated. If the information is important, you should consider using bullet points.

Read more about semicolons in lists.

(2) Using a Semicolon to Create a Smooth Transition between Two Sentences

A semicolon can be used to replace a period (full stop) when a smooth transition is required between sentences. For example:

• It was serious. She broke a toe.
• It was serious; she broke a toe.
(A semicolon is less of a "speed bump" than starting a new sentence.)

Here is another example:

• Never pick a fight with an ugly person. They've got nothing to lose.
• Never pick a fight with an ugly person; they've got nothing to lose.

You cannot create a smooth transition between two sentences with a comma. For example:

• It was serious, she broke a toe.
• Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they've got nothing to lose.

These are run-on errors. (The run-on error is a common mistake.)

Do Not Overuse Semicolons!

Do not use too many semicolons in your writing. They get annoying quickly. Here are three scenarios when it would be acceptable to use a semicolon instead of a period (full stop):

(Scenario 1) When your two sentences feel like cause and effect.

If you could merge your two sentences into one with a word like "because" or "as" (called subordinating conjunctions), then consider a semicolon.

• I am glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; because had I abided by it I might have been saved from some of my most valuable mistakes. (Playwright Edna St. Vincent Millay)

(Scenario 2) When your two sentences have similar structures and deliberate repetition.

• You don't pay taxes; they take taxes. (Comedian Chris Rock)
• Write with the door closed; rewrite with the door open. (Author Stephen King)

(Scenario 3) When your two sentences could be merged with a comma and a conjunction, e.g., "and," "or," "but," "for," "so" (especially "but," "for," and "so").

• Go not to the elves for counsel; they will say both no and yes.
(This is acceptable.)
• Go not to the elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.
(This is original text by JRR Tolkien. Note the comma and "for.")

(3) To Create a Smooth Transition into a Sentence Starting with a Transitional Phrases

This point is closely related to the last one. Often, when merging two sentences into one, the second sentence will start with a transitional phrase (or a conjunctive adverb as it's called). Common ones are "as a result," "consequently," "therefore," and "however."

A conjunctive adverb usually starts with a capital letter and follows a period (full stop), but it is possible to create a smoother transition by replacing the period with a semicolon. For example:

• She broke her toe. As a result, the game was cancelled.
• She broke her toe; as a result, the game was cancelled.

Here is another example:

• Vacation used to be a luxury. However, in today's world, it's become a necessity.
• Vacation used to be a luxury; however, in today's world, it's become a necessity.

Note: You cannot do this with a comma.

• She broke her toe, as a result, the game was cancelled.
• Vacation used to be a luxury, however, in today's world, it's become a necessity.

These are both run-on errors. (Note that the commas after the transitional phrase are all correct.)

Read more about semicolons before transitional phrases.

(4) Using a Semicolon to Merge Two Comma-filled Sentences Joined with a Conjunction

It is common to merge two sentences into one using a conjunction (a word like "and," "or," "but"). For example:

• 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. NB: The sentences are now independent clauses.)

When this happens, it is normal to use a comma before the conjunction.

However, 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. (This is quite an outdated practice, but you can use a semicolon for this purpose if you think it'll help your readers.)

Read more about semicolons before conjunctions

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Lesson Summary

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Key Points

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