Developing and Mastering the Semicolon

1. Punctuation
The Semicolon ;

2. SEMICOLON
A ; (semicolon) is a type of punctuation mark that is used
when someone wants to input a pause, usually between two
main clauses.
An easy way to think of it is that you want to continue a
thought, but you are dangerously close to a run-on sentence.
So, you can insert a ; (semicolon) to show a pause but still
continue your thought.

3. SEMICOLON
You can only use a ; (semicolon) to separate items in
a list when the items contain commas.
Example: The business trip will take him to New
York, New York; Miami, Florida; and Austin, Texas.

4. EXAMPLES OF SEMICOLON
1. I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
2. Star Trek was my favorite television show during the 1960s; in
fact, it is my favorite television show of all time.
3. You should choose ham, chicken, or char-grilled vegetable
sandwiches; cups of tea, Bovril, or coffee (if you don't mind them
lukewarm); or red wine (one of the few options that's drinkable
when lukewarm).

5. PRACTICE
Directions: We will combine these main clauses with a semicolon. Some
words may needed to be changed in order for the clauses to be combined
properly.
1. For dessert we could choose from carrot cake, a rich decadent delight, a
blueberry pie, made from my grandmother’s recipe, and fresh mangos,
picked just that afternoon.
2. She has a bucket list of places she wants to travel. She wants to go to
Seattle, Washington and Hollywood, California, and Red River, New
Mexico.
3. Zac, who plays the Tuba, is in jazz band, but Ashton, who plays the
clarinet, is in concert band.

6. EXTRA
Other Examples:
1. Jeremy kept disrupting class; therefore, he got in trouble with the teacher.
2. She went to the mall; however, she couldn’t find the outfit she was looking
for.
3. I don’t like the way that you treat me; in fact, I think we shouldn’t talk to
each other any more.
Always use a period or semicolon before the conjunctive adverb when
separating two independent clauses. Conjunctive adverbs are not
strong enough to join independent clauses without supporting
punctuation.

7. LIST OF CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS
certainly
wherein
comparatively
consequently
contrarily
conversely
currently
elsewhere
equally
eventually
finally
further
furthermore
hence
henceforth
however
in addition
in comparison
in contrast
in fact
incidentally
indeed
instead
just as
likewise
meanwhile
moreover
namely
nevertheless
next
nonetheless
notably
now
on the other hand
otherwise
rather
similarly
still
subsequently
that is
then
thereafter
therefore
thus
undoubtedly
although

8. PRACTICE
Directions: Add the correct punctuation marks to each sentence. Underline
the conjunctive adverb.
1. I love to eat pie as a result I eat a lot of them during the holidays
2. The tree has developed a large crack over the years eventually it will have
to be cut down for safety’s sake
3. It would be nice to spend a vacation on the beach on the other hand it
would be nice to spend a vacation in the snow covered mountains.