Semicolons!

1. All About… Semicolons! By: Erik Rickards Thanks to www.theoatmeal.com , for almost all my pictures.

2. What Is A Semicolon? ;? • A mark of punctuation ( ; ) used to connect independent clauses and indicating a closer relationship between the clauses than a period does.

3. When Are Semicolons Used? • Semicolons have three main uses: • #1. They can be placed between related independent clauses that have no coordinating conjunction. • #2. Being placed between two phrases linked with a transitional phrase or conjunctive adverb. • #3.Separating items in a list containing internal punctuation.

4. Semicolon Use #1 • Semicolons can be used to join two clauses that are related, like a comma. • Unlike a comma, semicolons do not require a coordinating conjunction “and, but, or”. “The ice cream truck man drove by my house today; he had large hairy knuckles.” Example: I stayed up late, because I wanted to watch the movie. I stayed up late; I wanted to watch the movie

5. Semicolon Use #2 • Semicolons can be used to link dependent clauses to independent clauses, without conjunctions. “My Aunt also had hairy knuckles; she loved to wash and comb them.” As you can see, the proper use of a semicolon Enables you to use this dependent clause in conjunction with this independent clause BUT do not ever use a Semicolon in this manner with a conjunction such as “but, and, or, nor”. Just use a comma instead. NO. My aunt’s hairy knuckles were glorious indeed; but Also No. My aunt’s knuckle hair was simply magnificent , but I had no desire to stroke it. Try this instead!

6. Semicolon Use #3 “When dinosaurs agree on something, they will often high-five one another; dinosaurs are all about high- fives.” If a comma had been used in this sentence, it would have formed a comma splice. If a period had been used, it would have made two jumpy sentences. A semicolon allows for more of a pause, while not completely cutting off the phrase. • Semicolons can be used to connect sentences or lists with internal punctuation. Semicolons are also used when commas, not related to a list, are used inside of a list. Without semicolons, this sentence is implying that I travelled to London and England, but London is in England! That’s just silly. In my quest to find truly wondrous knuckle hair, I travelled to Tokyo, Japan, Fairbanks, Alaska, and London, England. In my quest to find truly wondrous knuckle hair, I travelled to Tokyo, Japan; Fairbanks, Alaska; and London, England. In the End, I concluded that the greatest knuckle hair on earth is that of my close friend, the party gorilla, Austin Head. HALT!

7. The End