Whether you’re studying for the PSAT®, SAT®, or ACT® or you simply want to improve your writing, it is important to know how to use punctuation correctly. In this post, you’ll learn how to use a semicolon correctly, and you’ll see examples of how to use a semicolon correctly.
When to Use a Semicolon
The most common way to use a semicolon is to join two independent clauses (complete sentences.) However, you can also use semicolons to separate items in a complicated list.
How to Use a Semicolon Between Independent Clauses
If taking a standardized English grammar exam or revising your own writing, double check that there is a complete sentence (independent clause) on either side of the semicolon. Yes? The semicolon is being used correctly. No? Chances are you need a comma instead.
Remember that you cannot join two independent clauses with a comma. This is called a comma splice.
How Do I Use a Semicolon Example
Correct: Independent clause; independent clause
Example: After shattering his screen, Danny needed a new phone; he also needed a new case.
In the example above, “After shattering his screen, Danny needed a new phone” is a complete thought. It has a dependent clause in front of an independent clause, making it a complex sentence. “He also needed a new case” is also a complete sentence. This one is a simple sentence.
Since there is a complete thought on either side of the semicolon, the sentence is punctuated correctly.
It’s also important to note that the independent clauses joined by the semicolon relate to each other. They aren’t two random sentences.
Incorrect Example: After shattering his screen, Danny needed a new phone; needed a case too.
In the above version of the sentence, we no longer have two complete sentences. “Needed a case too” is not a complete sentence. It’s missing the word “he.”
Now it’s your turn. Look at the image below and determine the best answer.
If you answered “yes, it’s correct,” you’re right! The example above shows how to use a semicolon correctly because it demonstrates how to use a semicolon between two independent clauses.
Semicolons in a List
Using semicolons in a list, sometimes called serial semicolons, is not as common as using a semicolon to join two independent clauses, but it is another possible use for a semicolon.
If the list is complex–for example due additional commas or conjunctions in the list–then separating the items in the list with a semicolon will make it easier to read.
Here’s an example: I have travelled to London, England; Paris, France; Frankfort, Germany; and Lisbon, Portugal.
The example above lists four locations. Using semicolons in a list helps clarify that the list contains 4 locations, not 8. Adding a comma after the country would make the list more difficult to read due to the needed existing commas.
Now it’s your turn. Answer the question in the image below.
In the example above, there is a list of teachers’ names and the subject they teach. Therefore, B is the correct answer. You need semicolons in a list. Should you encounter a question like this on the ACT® or SAT®, look at the punctuation in the list that isn’t underlined. When listing, you want consistency. The punctuation needs to be consistent, and the parts of speech need to be consistent.
