Using Semicolons

1
Using Semicolons
Why are semicolons important? Semicolons between
independent clauses Semicolons between items in a
series Review A Review B
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Why are semicolons important?
A semicolon marks a pause in a sentence. It is
not quite as strong as a period, but it is
stronger than a comma.
Slight pause (comma)
Medium pause (semicolon)
Strong pause (period)
The rain finally stopped, and some sunlight broke
through the clouds.
The rain finally stopped. Some sunlight broke
through the clouds.
The rain finally stopped some sunlight broke
through the clouds.
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Why are semicolons important?
Like other punctuation marks, semicolons help
readers follow your writing.
Confusing

In South America we visited Santiago, Chile,
Bogotá, Columbia, and Lima, Peru.
Clear
In South America we visited Santiago, Chile
Bogotá, Columbia and Lima, Peru.
End of Section
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Semicolons between independent clauses
Use a semicolon between independent clauses if
the independent clauses

• are closely related in meaning and

• are not joined by and, but, for, nor, or, so, or
  yet

Kim is a talented artist she has even sold a few
works.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
Independent clauses
An independent clause (or main clause) has a
subject and a verb and expresses a complete
thought. An independent clause can stand by
itself as a sentence.
Subject
Verb
Keith raises tropical fish.
Keith raises tropical fish.
Keith raises tropical fish.
Subject
Verb
The aquarium is always clean.
The aquarium is always clean.
The aquarium is always clean.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
Remember Use a semicolon to join independent
clauses only if the clauses are closely related.
Thad likes Japanese food his sister has always
been a picky eater.
Incorrect
These two clauses arent closely related.
Thad likes Japanese food his sister prefers
Indian or Thai dishes.
Thad likes Japanese food. His sister has always
been a picky eater.
Correct
A period is used since the two clauses are not
closely related.
These two clauses are closely related. A
semicolon can be used to join them.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
Identify the two independent clauses in each
sentence. Then, add the semicolon where it is
needed.
1. Rosa slid into home plate her run tied the
game.
2. Turn up the radio theyre playing my favorite
song.
3. Juanita takes photos for the school newspaper
she is also on the yearbook staff.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
Identify the two independent clauses in each
sentence. Then, add the semicolon where it is
needed.

1. Rosa slid into home plate her run tied the
game.
Clause 1 Rosa slid into home plate Clause 2
her run tied the game These clauses are closely
related. They can be joined by a semicolon.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
Identify the two independent clauses in each
sentence. Then, add the semicolon where it is
needed.

2. Turn up the radio theyre playing my favorite
song.
Clause 1 Turn up the radio Clause 2 theyre
playing my favorite song These clauses are
closely related. They can be joined by a
semicolon.
10
Semicolons between independent clauses
Identify the two independent clauses in each
sentence. Then, add the semicolon where it is
needed.

3. Juanita takes photos for the school newspaper
she is also on the yearbook staff.
Clause 1 Juanita takes photos for the school
newspaper Clause 2 she is also on the yearbook
staff These clauses are closely related. They can
be joined by a semicolon.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
On Your Own

• Add semicolons where they are needed in the
  following sentences.
• Lyle had practiced every night he was prepared
  for the concert.
• I really enjoyed that book you would probably
  like it too.
• Three candidates are running for mayor they all
  have experience in public office.
• 4. Nina has many hobbies drawing and making
  jewelry are two of them.

End of Section
12
Semicolons between independent clauses
Answers

• Add semicolons where they are needed in the
  following sentences.
• Lyle had practiced every night he was prepared
  for the concert.
• I really enjoyed that book you would probably
  like it too.
• Three candidates are running for mayor they all
  have experience in public office.
• 4. Nina has many hobbies drawing and origami are
  two of them.

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Semicolons between independent clauses
Use a semicolon between independent clauses
joined by a conjunctive adverb or a transitional
expression.

It snowed all night consequently, the roads were
hazardous the next morning.
consequently,
The trip went well in fact, it turned out to be
a great vacation.
in fact,
Notice that the conjunctive adverb and the
transitional expression are each followed by a
comma.
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Semicolons between independent clausesConjunctive
adverbs
Common Conjunctive Adverbs Common Conjunctive Adverbs Common Conjunctive Adverbs Common Conjunctive Adverbs
accordingly furthermore instead nevertheless
besides however meanwhile otherwise
consequently indeed moreover therefore
A conjunctive adverb shows how ideas relate to
each other. It expresses a relationship between
two independent clauses.
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Semicolons between independent clausesTransitiona
l expressions
Common Transitional Expressions Common Transitional Expressions Common Transitional Expressions Common Transitional Expressions
as a result for example on the contrary in fact
for instance in conclusion in other words that is
A transitional expression shows how ideas fit
together. It makes a connection between the ideas
in two independent clauses.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
When a conjunctive adverb or transitional
expression appears within one of the clauses, it
is set off by commas.
Grammar Guy Says...
Dad prepared the casserole Wanda, meanwhile,
fixed the salad.
Notice that the two clauses are still separated
by a semicolon.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
You may need to use a semicolon (rather than a
comma) before a coordinating conjunction to join
independent clauses that contain commas.
Jamal plays basketball, hockey, and baseball, and
softball, of course, is his sisters favorite
sport.
Confusing
Jamal plays basketball, hockey, and baseball and
softball, of course, is his sisters favorite
sport.
Clear
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Semicolons between independent clauses
You may need to use a semicolon (rather than a
comma) before a coordinating conjunction to join
independent clauses that contain commas.
Looking everywhere, we could not find the mitt,
the ball, or the bat, and Mom, who had paid for
them, was not pleased.
Confusing
Looking everywhere, we could not find the mitt,
the ball, or the bat and Mom, who had paid for
them, was not pleased.
Clear
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Semicolons between independent clauses
If a sentence is clear without a semicolon, dont
add one just because the clauses contain commas.
Grammar Guy Says...
Lana, you are the best musician I know, as well
as a great dancer.
A comma is all that is needed in this case.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
Add semicolons where they are needed in the
following sentences.
1. The walls are finished however, we still need
to paint the trim.
2. My dog does tricks for example, he can roll
over and play dead.
3. Bev, who loves photography, has pictures of
plants, flowers, and trees, but she has not,
thus far, taken any pictures of animals.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
Add semicolons where they are needed in the
following sentences.

1. The walls are finished however, we still need
to paint the trim.
A semicolon is used between independent clauses
joined by a conjunctive adverb, such as however.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
Add semicolons where they are needed in the
following sentences.

2. My dog does tricks for example, he can roll
over and play dead.
A semicolon is used between independent clauses
joined by a transitional expression such as for
example.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
Add semicolons where they are needed in the
following sentences.
3. Bev, who loves photography, has pictures of
plants, flowers, and trees but she has not, thus
far, taken any pictures of animals.

Because the independent clauses contain commas,
this sentence would be confusing without the
semicolon. A semicolon makes the sentence clear.
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Semicolons between independent clauses
On Your Own
In the following sentences, add semicolons or
replace commas with semicolons where needed. If a
sentence is already correct, label it C. 1. Hank
will not play basketball next year instead, he is
going to try out for soccer. 2. Michelle trims
the bushes, pulls the weeds, and sweeps the
sidewalk, and the lawn is my responsibility. 3. Th
e snow does not bother me, on the contrary, I
love to go walking right after a big
snowfall. 4. The car, Alan, needs some repairs,
and you will have to pay for them.
End of Section
25
Semicolons between independent clauses
Answers
In the following sentences, add semicolons or
replace commas with semicolons where needed. If a
sentence is already correct, label it C. 1. Hank
will not play basketball next year instead, he is
going to try out for soccer. 2. Michelle trims
the bushes, pulls the weeds, and sweeps the
sidewalk, and the lawn is my responsibility. 3. Th
e snow does not bother me, on the contrary, I
love to go walking right after a big
snowfall. 4. The car, Alan, needs some repairs,
and you will have to pay for them.

C

C
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Semicolons between items in a series
Use a semicolon between items in a series if the
items contain commas.
Winners in the competition were Alisa Murphy,
first place Jeff Bates, second place and
Eduardo Davis, third place.
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Semicolons between items in a series
Use a semicolon between items in a series if the
items contain commas.
My grandparents have called many different cities
home, including Seattle, Washington Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania and Atlanta, Georgia.
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Semicolons between items in a series
For each of the following sentences, identify
each item in the series. Then change commas to
semicolons where necessary.
1. My three sisters were born on January 25,
1997, May 1, 1999, and June 21, 2002.
2. I invited Karl, my cousin, Julia, my best
friend, and Jerry, my neighbor, to the party.
3. Performers in the show were Tony Garza,
trumpet, Lee Bryant, clarinet, and Phil Ward,
drums and steel guitar.
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Semicolons between items in a series
For each of the following sentences, identify
each item in the series. Then change commas to
semicolons where necessary.
1. My three sisters were born on January 25, 1997
May 1, 1999 and June 21, 2002.

Item 1 January 25, 1997 Item 2 May 1,
1999 Item 3 June 21, 2002 A semicolon is used
between items in a series when the items contain
commas.
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Semicolons between items in a series
For each of the following sentences, identify
each item in the series. Then change commas to
semicolons where necessary.
2. I invited Karl, my cousin Julia, my best
friend and Jerry, my neighbor, to the party.

Item 1 Karl, my cousin Item 2 Julia, my best
friend Item 3 Jerry, my neighbor A semicolon is
used between items in a series when the items
contain commas.
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Semicolons between items in a series
For each of the following sentences, identify
each item in the series. Then change commas to
semicolons where necessary.
3. Performers in the show were Tony Garza,
trumpet Lee Bryant, clarinet and Phil Ward,
drums and steel guitar.

Item 1 Tony Garza, trumpet Item 2 Lee Bryant,
clarinet Item 3 Phil Ward, drums and steel
guitar A semicolon is used between items in a
series when the items contain commas.
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Semicolons between items in a series
On Your Own
Change commas to semicolons where necessary in
the following sentences. If a sentence is already
correct, label it C. 1. The photography club
will meet on Tuesday,April 3, Friday, April 6,
and Tuesday, April 10. 2. At the mall I bought
several items I needed, such as socks, a pair of
jeans, and a belt. 3. The ushers will be Jared
Green, brother of the bride, Hershel Kemp, friend
of the groom, and Fred Keller, cousin of the
groom .
End of Section
33
Semicolons between items in a series
Answers
Change commas to semicolons where necessary in
the following sentences. If a sentence is already
correct, label it C. 1. The photography club
will meet on Tuesday,April 3, Friday, April 6,
and Tuesday, April 10. 2. At the mall I bought
several items I needed, such as socks, a pair of
jeans, and a belt. 3. The ushers will be Jared
Green, brother of the bride, Hershel Kemp, friend
of the groom, and Fred Keller, cousin of the
groom.


C


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Review A
In the following sentences, add semicolons or
replace commas with semicolons where needed.
1. The two sides could not reach an agreement,
however, they were willing to meet again. 2. Mr.
Harrell, the cook, Mrs. Chang, the gardener, and
Ms. Klein, the electrician, were all
suspects. 3. We bring our own rackets, shoes, and
bottled water, and the balls, I believe, are
provided at the gym. 4. The elevator is broken
we will have to take the stairs.
End of Section
35
Review A
In the following sentences, add semicolons or
replace commas with semicolons where needed.
1. The two sides could not reach an agreement,
however, they were willing to meet again. 2. Mr.
Harrell, the cook, Mrs. Chang, the gardener, and
Ms. Klein, the electrician, were all
suspects. 3. We bring our own rackets, shoes, and
bottled water, and the balls, I believe, are
provided at the gym. 4. The elevator is broken
we will have to take the stairs.





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Review B
In the following sentences, add semicolons or
replace commas with semicolons where needed.
1. My uncle has traveled to San Juan, Puerto
Rico, London, England, and Madrid, Spain. 2. The
spring rains have begun soon the hillside will be
covered with wildflowers. 3. Close the lid
tightly otherwise, the paint will dry out. 4. I
missed several days of school because of illness,
as a result, I am behind on my work.
End of Section
37
Review B
In the following sentences, add semicolons or
replace commas with semicolons where needed.
1. My uncle has traveled to San Juan, Puerto
Rico, London, England, and Madrid, Spain. 2. The
spring rains have begun soon the hillside will be
covered with wildflowers. 3. Close the lid
tightly otherwise, the paint will dry out. 4. I
missed several days of school because of illness,
as a result, I am behind on my work.





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The End