Sem;colons

1. Sem;colons By: Ethan E. and Rob D.

2. Independent Clauses • Use semicolons to join two related independent clauses when the clauses are not joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction. • Semicolons are placed out side quotation marks • Example • Philip had completed the assignment; Lucy had not.

3. Independent clauses with transitional expressions • When a transitional expression appears between two clauses , it is preceded by a semicolon and usually followed by a comma. • Example • Sheila had to wait until the plumber arrived; consequently, she was late for the exam.

4. Items in a series or clauses that contain commas • Use a semicolon for clarity in a sentence with a lot of elements • Semicolon helps readers locate the clauses when the clauses already contain internal commas. • Example • The committee included Dr. Cutis Youngblood, the county medical examiner; Roberta Collingwood, the director of bureau’s criminal division; Darcy Coolidge, the chief of police.

5. Common errors • Watch joining a dependant clause or phrase to an independent clause • Example • Professional writers need to devote time every day to their writing; ,although doing so takes discipline.

6. Common errors • Watch joining independent clauses linked by a coordinating conjunction(and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet): if these clauses contain commas, a semicolon is acceptable • Example • Nineteenth-century women wore colorful clothes; ,but their clothes often look dull in the black-and-white photographs of the era.

7. Common errors • Introducing a series, an explanation, or a quotation: a colon should usually be used. • Example • The doctor finally diagnosed the problem; : a severe sinus infection.

8. Test • T/F -Is the semicolon used correctly • Magnolias bloom in the early spring; daffodils blossom at the same time. • My friends are all taking golf lessons, my roommate and I; however, are more interested in tennis. • Seeming tame and lovable; housecats can actually be fierce hunters • Boyd warns of the difficulty on describing Bach; “Even his physical appearance largely eludes us.” • Police department heads are Devin Blazer, the police chief; David Glass, the sergeant; and Mike King, the detective.