Correct: Cows, though their bovine majesty has been on the wane in recent millennia, are still one of the great species of this planet; domesticated, yet proud, they ruminate silently as we humans pass tumultuously by. Incorrect: Because cows smell; they offend me. Correct: Because cows smell, they offend me. The first part is not an independent clause, so no semicolon is required. This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
U niversity of W isconsin —Madison. Rules for Using Semicolons A semicolon is most commonly used to link in a single sentence two independent clauses that are closely related in thought.
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It's no accident that a semicolon ; is a period atop a comma. Like commas, semicolons indicate an audible pause—slightly longer than a comma's, but short of a period's full stop. Semicolons have other functions, too. But first, a caveat: avoid the common mistake of using a semicolon to replace a colon see Colons. Incorrect: I have one goal; to find her. Correct: I have one goal: to find her.
That something can either be the right conjunction or the period that turns a comma into a semicolon. If semicolons can link independent clauses that would otherwise have a period or a conjunction between them, that means they can demonstrate contrast, too. To summarize, a semicolon links up two related ideas by narrowing the gap between the ideas of two separate sentences or by replacing a conjunction between two related ideas.
You can use semicolons to divide the items of a list if the items are long or contain internal punctuation. In these cases, the semicolon helps readers keep track of the divisions between the items. My plan included taking him to a nice—though not necessarily expensive—dinner; going to the park to look at the stars, which, by the way, are amazing this time of year; and serenading him with my accordion.
Yup, that was one now. When you have a conjunctive adverb linking two independent clauses, you should use a semicolon. Some common conjunctive adverbs include moreover, nevertheless, however, otherwise, therefore, then, finally, likewise, and consequently. I needed to go for a walk and get some fresh air; also, I needed to buy milk. These words sometimes show up in other parts of a sentence; therefore, the semicolon rule only applies if it helps the conjunctive adverb join two independent clauses.
A semicolon would be impossible in the last example, since the sequence after the comma is not a complete sentence. Note, however, that certain connecting words do require a preceding semicolon. Chief among these are however , therefore , hence , thus , consequently , nevertheless and meanwhile : Saturn was long thought to be the only ringed planet; however, this is now known not to be the case.
The two warring sides have refused to withdraw from the airport; consequently aid flights have had to be suspended. Observe that in these examples the sequence after the semicolon does constitute a complete sentence. And note particularly that the word however must be separated by a semicolon or a full stop from a preceding complete sentence; this is a very common mistake. There is one special circumstance in which a semicolon may be used to separate sequences which are not complete sentences.
This occurs when a sentence has become so long and so full of commas that the reader can hardly be expected to follow it without some special marking.
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