Our Friend, the Semicolon English 2

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Our Friend, the SemicolonEnglish 2
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Our Friend, the Semicolon
There are several ways to join TWO independent
clauses Grandma stays up late. She likes to
watch TV. Two independent ideas, separated by a
period.
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Our Friend, the Semicolon
What if we try to combine the two ideas? Grandma
stays up late, she likes to watch TV. Is this
okay?
Somethings wrong! We connected two independent
clauses with only a comma. The dreaded COMMA
SPLICE!
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Our Friend, the Semicolon
We could insert a coordinating conjunction
Grandma stays up late, and she likes to watch TV.
This is better! Note the comma that accompanies
the coordinating conjunction.
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Semicolon Rule 1
Or, we could join the two sentences using a
semicolon. Rule 12a Use a semi-colon between
two independent clauses that are closely
related. Grandma stays up too late shes afraid
shes going to miss her favorite television
program.
Notice the word directly after the semi-colon is
NOT capitalized.
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Practice
Combine these two sentences 1. My brother just
got hired at the ice cream factory. I am looking
forward to the treats he will bring home. 2.
Those clouds look like storm clouds. We had
better hurry and get home before they arrive.
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Semicolon Rule 2
The SECOND way to use a semicolon is with a
conjunctive adverbs or transitional expressions
words such as however, moreover, therefore,
nevertheless, consequently, as a result.
Grandma likes to watch TV therefore, she stays
up too late.
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Semicolon Rule 2
Rule 12b Use a semicolon between independent
clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb or a
transitional expression.
Notice the pattern semicolon
conjunctive adverb comma Grandma likes to watch
TV therefore, she stays up too late.
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Practice
Combine these two sentences using a conjunctive
adverb 1. My brother just got hired at the ice
cream factory. I am looking Forward to the
treats he will bring home. 2. Those clouds
look like storm clouds. We had better hurry and
get home before they arrive.
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Semicolon Rule 3

• Rule 12c
• If you have TWO ICs that have commas in them,
  separate them with a AND a CC
• A semi-colon coordination conjunction (FANBOYS)
  IF AND ONLY IF commas appear within the clauses.
• Don sat with Pat, Michael, and me and Joe sat
  with John, Sean, and Jerry.

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Semicolon Rule 4
Rule 12d Use a semicolon between items in a
series that contain commas. There is a FOURTH AND
FINAL use of the semicolon to help us sort out
monster lists, like this one
The committee included Peter Wursthorn, Professor
of Mathematics, from Marlborough, Connecticut,
Virginia Villa, Professor of English, from
Hartford, Connecticut, Paul Creech, Director of
Rad-Tech, from Essex, Connecticut, and Joan
Leach, Professor of Nursing, from Farmington,
Connecticut.
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Semicolon Rule 4
Be careful where you insert semicolons in this
sentence. It should look like THIS
The committee included Peter Wursthorn, Professor
of Mathematics, from Marlborough, Connecticut
Virginia Villa, Professor of English, from
Hartford, Connecticut Paul Creech, Director of
Rad-Tech, from Essex, Connecticut and Joan
Leach, Professor of Nursing, from Farmington,
Connecticut.