Mastering Semicolons: Usage Guide & Examples

1. Semicolons • ;

2. Examples from Frederick Douglass • “You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man” (465). • “About three o’clock that day, I broke down; my strength failed me” (465).

3. When to use semicolons • Use semicolons between complete sentences (independent clauses) that are closely related in thought. • “You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man” (465). • “About three o’clock that day, I broke down; my strength failed me” (465).

4. When to use semicolons • Normally, do not use a semicolon if the two complete sentences are joined by the conjunctions and, but, for, nor, or, so or yet. • Instead, use a comma before the conjunction. • “You have seen how a man was made a slave, and you shall see how a slave was made a man” (465).

5. Another example from Douglass • “I was made exceedingly feeble by the kicks and blows which I had received; however, I watched my chance, while Covey was looking in the other direction, and started for St. Michael’s” (465).

6. When to use semicolons • Use a semicolon between complete thoughts (independent clauses) joined by a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression. • “I was made exceedingly feeble by the kicks and blows which I had received; however, I watched my chance, while Covey was looking in the other direction, and started for St. Michael’s” (465).

7. Some other times to use semicolons • You mayneed to use a semicolon before FANBOYSif the independent clauses being joined contain commas (see slide 4). • “The work was simple, requiring strength rather than intellect; yet, to one entirely unused to such work, it came very hard” (465).

8. Some other times to use semicolons • You may need to use a semicolon before FANBOYS if the independent clauses being joined contain commas. • “While I was in the act of throwing down some blades from the loft, Mr. Covey entered the stable with a long rope; and just as I was half out of the loft, he caught hold of my legs, and was about tying me” (468).

9. Some other times to use semicolons • Use semicolon between items in a list if the items contain commas. • UNCLEAR: I have visited Rome, Georgia, Cairo, Illinois, and Paris, Texas.

10. Some other times to use semicolons • Use semicolon between items in a list if the items contain commas. • CLEAR: I have visited Rome, Georgia; Cairo, Illinois; and Paris, Texas.