How to Use a Semicolon

In my early years as a writer, I never used a semicolon because I didn’t quite understand its purpose. Sure, I knew a semicolon was used to create a break in a sentence, but I just could not wrap my head around when to use it.

I think this sentiment rings true for a lot of people in my generation, as we seem to have been raised in an era when the schools' curriculum put less emphasis on writing and grammar than they had during my parents’ generation, or even as they do now. I remember in grade school, the school newspaper was an extracurricular activity reserved only for those kids in advanced reading; in high school, the creative writing classes were reserved only for those kids brave enough to submit a writing sample. My generation is the one that, when we don’t know a grammar rule, will rewrite a sentence to avoid embarrassing ourselves.

Over the years, I have come to embrace the semicolon as a useful tool for joining two related sentences. I have found the semicolon streamlines the job of connecting thoughts and serves as your best defense against creating a run-on sentence.

I like to think of the semicolon as the comma’s big sister—you may think this is silly, but they share some comparable attributes. For starters, the semicolon resembles the comma just enough for you to know that they must be related, but not so much that you think they’re twins. And, the semicolon, just like a big sister, has an effortless way of bringing relatives (and relative clauses) together.

So, just like the comma, a semicolon prompts you to take a break when reading—but the break you take with a semicolon is longer, more like a pause. This is useful when your writing turns into a long string of related thoughts, because a semicolon gives you the power to group those thoughts into readable clusters.

For example:
We want to try all of the new pubs in downtown Elmhurst; Pints got our business last night because we found a coupon for a free appetizer on the City Centre’s web site.

Those two thoughts are related, because the first part explains our intentions (to try all of the new pubs) and the second part explains why we chose Pints. Sure, you could use a period instead of a semicolon, but the semicolon connects the two thoughts to ensure the reader will understand that Pints is a new pub and not just old standby with a great deal. Some people may have considered using the word "and" instead of the semicolon, but that would be a l-o-n-g sentence!

While the above grammar rule may seem like a judgement call, there is a time when a semicolon is always correct. You should always use a semicolon when you are using an adverb to transition between two independent thoughts. You know these adverbs—they are "however", "therefore", "indeed", "accordingly", "hence", "besides", "thus"—the ones you use to drive your point home.

For example:
I loved going to college; however, I did not enjoy the homework.
Nick spilled his Slurpee in the car; therefore, he is banned from eating while driving.
I met my husband in 1985; indeed, that was a very good year!

There is one more use for a semicolon that I think is worth mentioning. When you are creating a long list that is introduced with a colon, the semicolon is a helpful tool when you need clarity.

For example:
The tally of participants in the Spring Road Pet Parade is as follows: dogs, 64; cats, 22; hamsters, 6; gerbils, 4; rabbits, 3; snakes, 2.

In this example, the comma is separating the type of animal from the quantity, so the semicolon steps in to separate the list into readable chunks.

My hope is that I’ll be seeing more people embrace the semicolon and use it whenever they want to bring their thoughts together. It is a wonderful little mark that packs a lot of power. And, for you texters, you couldn’t wink without it! ;-)