Skip to main content

semicolons

Semicolons indicate a stronger or more important break in the flow of words than the break indicated by a comma. Use a semicolon in compound sentences that are NOT linked by a conjunction (such as "and," "but," "or," "nor," and "yet"). Place a semicolon before conjunctive adverbs (such as "however," "hence," "therefore," "nevertheless," and "consequently") in most complex sentences containing two or more clauses. When a sentence contains items in a series, you may use a semicolon between the items if one or more of the items contains commas.

1. Using Semicolons in Compound Sentences without Conjunctions

When clauses in a sentence are closely related in meaning, a semicolon is an appropriate dividing punctuation mark. Note that the words "and," "but," "or," and "nor" do not follow semicolons.

It was difficult to reproduce the experiment; the material Smith and Jones used was not widely available. Of the 13 samples, only one did not degrade; others deteriorated an average of 8%.

2. Using Semicolons with Conjunctive Adverbs

"Yet" and "so" are usually preceded by commas in a complex sentence. But use a semicolon before such conjunctive adverbs as "then," "however," "thus," "therefore," "hence," "accordingly," "moreover," "nevertheless," "consequently," "besides," "indeed," and "subsequently"; place a comma after the adverb.

The contractor's representative was out, so I left a message.

We used the Schartz-Metterklume method in the experiment; however, the problems with this method are well known.

Energy requirements are often expressed in quads, or quadrillion Btu; therefore, this report describes the number of quads supplied annually by each option.

Use a semicolon before "i.e." ("that is") and "e.g." ("for example") and a comma after them when a clause (with a subject and verb) follows them; use a comma when a phrase or list follows.

3. Using Semicolons in a Series

When items in a series contain internal punctuation (e.g., commas) or are very long, you can separate them with semicolons. In those cases, a conjunction can follow the last semicolon.

The contaminants in the sample were TCE, 150 ppb; toluene, 220 ppb; and benzene, 265 ppb.

Promising new technologies demonstrated at the exposition included advanced wind turbines; polycrystalline, thick-film, and thin-film solar cells; fast-growing energy crops; and fuel cells.

The vendor assured us that the replacement parts, which were essential in this installation, were on order; that the parts would be delivered as soon as they arrived; and that the delay in shipment was unavoidable.

Subject:

Share