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It is used to connect two independent clauses. Independent clauses are a series of words that can stand alone as sentences. In this way, it is used to connect two short sentences into one long one.

Ex. This is a complete sentence; this is another sentence.

You don't use a semicolon to connect two sentences if there is already a conjunction (and, but, or, etc.) between them, though. For that, you use a comma.

Ex. This is a complete sentence, and this is another sentence.

The semicolon can also be used a a kind of super-comma. If you have a series of items (that you would usually use a comma to separate) that already have a comma in them, you use the semicolon to separate them instead.

Ex. Her favourite books are Pride and Prejudice, The Queen of the Damned, and Of Mice and Men.

Compared to:

Ex. Her favourite books are Pride and Prejudice, a satire; The Queen of the Damned, a Horror story; and Of Mice and Men, a novella.

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15y ago

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Related Questions

How do you use semicolon in if sentence?

I wouldn't use a semicolon in a conditional (if) sentence. Semicolons can join two independent clauses without a conjunction. The "if" clause in a conditional sentence is dependent, not independent.


Can you use a gerund after a semicolon?

A gerund is a verb with the -ing suffix, often turning it from a verb into the subject of a sentence. It is grammatically correct to use one after a semicolon as long as the clause after the semicolon is still independent, that is, it can still stand alone as a separate sentence.


Is a semicolon is necessary in a compound sentence if a coordinating conjunction is not used?

No, a semicolon is not necessary in a compound sentence if a coordinating conjunction is not used. You can use a comma to separate the independent clauses in a compound sentence instead.


A sentence with the word semicolon?

I can give you several sentences.You use a semicolon to separate two clauses.A semicolon is like a comma with a period on top of it.You need to learn how to use the semicolon properly.


Can a semicolon be used to join an incomplete sentence and complete sentence?

Yes, a semicolon could indeed join an incomplete sentence and a complete sentence.


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.


Can you have a sentence fragment after a semicolon?

No you can not it is stupid.


Can you use a semicolon at the end of a sentence?

No. A full stop is used to show the end of a sentence. A semi colon can be used to separate clauses or items in a list.


Can you use a semicolon before while?

Punctuation is a feature of sentence structure. There is no word that must take any particular punctuation, and no word that cannot take any particular punctuation.


Can you use a Semicolon before a comma?

It is not common to use a semicolon before a comma in writing. Semicolons are typically used to separate independent clauses or items in a list. If you feel the need to use both punctuation marks in a sentence, it may be a sign that the sentence could be rephrased or structured differently for clarity.


In which of the-following situations would it be appropriate to use a semicolon?

To replace conjunctions and, or, but and to connect the main clauses in a compound sentence


Can you put a semicolon before and?

Typically, the semicolon implies " and" and therefore using and after a semicolon is redundant.