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What is a semicolon used for?

Updated: 4/25/2024
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βˆ™ 11y ago

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There are two common situations that generally require using semicolons:

  1. Use semicolons to separate independent clauses that do not have a coordinating conjunction between them.

    Example: Joan went down to the beach with her mystery novel; Tina stayed in the house to finish her homework.

    Note, however, that words like however and therefore are not coordinating conjunctions but rather conjunctive adverbs, and you still need a semicolon between clauses if the second one begins with a conjunctive adverb.

    Example: Joan had finished her homework; therefore, she felt entitled to relax at the beach with her novel.

    If you use a comma instead of a semicolon in these places, it is an error called a commasplice.

    If you omit the semicolon and do not use any punctuation in its place, it is an error called a run-on sentence.

  2. Use semicolons to separate items in a list when these items are long and complex, especially if the items themselves contain commas.

    Example: Please bring one of the following: an appetizer, especially "finger food" that does not require utensils; a salad or vegetable dish, hot or cold; or sweet individual treats like cookies, brownies, small pastries, or cupcakes.

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βˆ™ 10y ago
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βˆ™ 14y ago

When you want to replace the conjunctions and, or, or but and to connect the main clauses of a compound sentence

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βˆ™ 2w ago

A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning. It can also be used to separate items in a list when the items contain commas.

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βˆ™ 11y ago

it is used in math or any other thing but in math its called a ratio

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βˆ™ 12y ago

To join independent clauses when the second clause explains the first

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βˆ™ 11y ago

I don't know but my guess is: maybe a colon and a comma at same time

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Q: What is a semicolon used for?
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Related questions

Which symbol is used as a statement terminator in C?

semicolon ';' (Not applicable for block-statements)


Can you put a semicolon before and?

Yes; a semicolon is not typically used before the conjunction "and" in a sentence; it is more commonly used to separate independent clauses.


Do you use and after a semicolon?

No, the word "and" should not follow a semicolon. Semicolons are used to separate independent clauses; if you want to include "and," it would typically be used within one of the independent clauses separated by the semicolon.


Can a semicolon introduce a quotation?

No, a semicolon is not used to introduce a quotation. Quotations are usually introduced by a colon or with quotation marks. A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses or in a series when the items require commas.


What does semicolon mean?

A semicolon is a punctuation mark used to separate two independent clauses in a sentence. It can also be used to separate items in a list when the items themselves contain commas.


What does the semicolon and colon means?

A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses in a sentence. A colon is used to introduce a list, explanation, example, or a quote.


How many spaces follow a semicolon?

Generally, there is one space that follows a semicolon in written English. This space is used to create clear separation between the semicolon and the next word or phrase.


What is a punctuation mark that is used between clauses of a compound sentence when a conjunction is not used?

A semicolon is a punctuation mark that is used between clauses of a compound sentence when a conjunction is not used.


What is a semicolon and how is its used?

A semicolon is a punctuation mark used to separate independent clauses in a sentence when a conjunction is not present. It can also be used to separate items in a list when those items contain commas.


Do you use a semicolon before except?

No, a semicolon is not typically used before "except" in a sentence. Instead, a comma may be used to separate clauses or phrases when necessary.


Which of the following puctuation marks is a semicolon?

The semicolon is a punctuation mark that looks like this: ";". It is used to separate independent clauses in a sentence or to separate items in a list when the items contain commas.


Was the semicolon used in Hebrew?

No punctuation was used in Hebrew until about the 18th Century.