Basic Semicolon Rules
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Transcript of Basic Semicolon Rules
Basic Semicolon RulesENGLISH 1010-17
PROFESSOR NATHAN PRICE
Presented by:Jasmine Crespo
Tyler ParkJiapei Xia
Rule 1.
• A semicolon can replace a period if a writer wishes to narrow the gap between two closely linked sentences. • Incorrect Ex. The brown cat jumped over the wall; however, we are
out of milk. • Correct Ex. Call me tomorrow; you can give me an answer then.
• Explanation: The incorrect example has a semicolon joining two unrelated sentences. Semicolon can only replace periods with closely related sentences.
Rule 2.
• Use a semicolon before words and terms like Namely, However, and Therefore. • Incorrect Ex. However; I dislike kuku clocks.
• Correct Ex. I like clocks; however, I dislike kuku clocks.
• Explanation: The first example is incorrect because the semicolon was placed in the incorrect position.
Rule 3.
• Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contains commas. • Incorrect Ex. Thomas met several people from Moscow, Russia,
Richfield, New Jersey, Long Beach, California, and Cedar City, Utah. • Correct Ex. Thomas met several people from Moscow, Russia;
Richfield, New Jersey; Long Beach, California; and Cedar City, Utah.
• Explanation: The reason why the first example is incorrect is because it does not distinguish individual places from one another.
Rule 4.
• A semicolon may be used between independent clauses joined by a connector, such as and, but, or, nor, etc., when one or more commas appear in the first clause. • Incorrect Ex. When I finish here, and I will soon, I’ll be glad to help
out, and that is a promise I will keep.• Correct Ex. When I finish here, and I will soon, I’ll be glad to help
out; and that is a promise I will keep.
• Explanation: The incorrect example is a run on sentence. By using a semicolon, the correct example connects the two related phrases.
Works Cited
• “Semicolons” from The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation. By Jane Straus. May 18, 1954- February 25, 2011. From GrammarBook.com