Semicolons

Semicolons

A semicolon indicates a pause in a sentence and can replace some full stops and commas. It is used to:

Join two sentences that are related

Separate items on a list

Before a transitional phrase.

1.

• Semicolons can be used to extend a sentence by joining two sentences that are related together. It is like saying ‘furthermore’. In this instance, the two clauses either side of the semicolon must be independent clauses (able to be stand-alone sentences).

Example:

It rained heavily today; I got drenched.

Note that both ‘it rained heavily today’ and ‘I got wet’ could both operate as independent sentences.

2.

• Semicolons could be used to separate items in a list; however we usually use commas for this. If the list items have commas, the use of semicolons to separate them is useful.

Example:

The finalists in the cooking competition are: Sally, aged 23; Peter, aged 27; Mark, aged 30; and Sophie, aged 20.

3.

• Semicolons can be used before a transitional phrase (a phrase that usually begins a new sentence). This means before words such as however, furthermore, therefore, consequently, as a result, of course, etc. Note that these words are followed by a comma.

Example:

The weather forecast is for heavy rain; as a result, the netball match has been cancelled.