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8 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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The semi-colon is a LONG PAUSE that BALANCES two equally important, related or parallel ideas.
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She went by train; she would rather have flown.
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It also indicates OPPOSITE IDEAS (antithesis).
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In summer she swims; in winter she skates.
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It joins TWO MAIN CLAUSES where there is no conjunction.
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She worked hard for the examinations; she had nothing to fear.
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A semi-colon may often be replaced by a FULL STOP or by the conjunctions AND, BUT, SO, FOR and ALTHOUGH.
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She worked hard for the examinations SO she had nothing to fear.
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According to yourDictionary.com, the semicolon (;) is used to “ connect independent clauses and indicating a closer relationship between the clauses than a period does.
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” For example: John was hurt ; he knew she only said it to upset him.
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A Semicolon is Used for Equal Emphasis
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In a compound sentence that has no coordinating conjunction, a semicolon joins related independent clauses that are of equal importance.
Sarah answered my question abruptly; she seemed preoccupied. |
A semicolon can also be used before a conjunctive adverb used to join the two clauses in a compound sentence.
The restaurant was very crowded; however, the waitress took our order immediately. |
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We use semicolons to separate two independent clauses that are not joined by a conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
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These independent clauses are always closely related, but the second is not usually an explanation or clarification of the first. Often the second independent clause will begin with what is called a conjunctive adverb (however, moreover, additionally, therefore, thus, consequently, otherwise, etc.).
I’m going out; however, I’ll be home by nine. |
If you have a list, and some or all of the items in the list have commas in them, then separating the items with additional commas is just terribly confusing. Separate them with semicolons instead.
The meeting attendees included Mrs. Perkins, the kindergarten teacher; Mr. Shumate, the sixth grade teacher; Ms. Wallace, the PE teacher; and Mrs. Barber, the principal. Also, if you have two independent clauses that each include several commas, you can join them with a semicolon and a conjunction. |
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The meeting attendees included Mrs. Perkins, the kindergarten teacher; Mr. Shumate, the sixth grade teacher; Ms. Wallace, the PE teacher; and Mrs. Barber, the principal.
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Also, if you have two independent clauses that each include several commas, you can join them with a semicolon and a conjunction.
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When you go to the conference, you will hear presentations on research and development, implementation, and management; and you will meet people from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
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