1. With Asyndetic Independent Clauses

Use a semicolon between independent clauses not joint by AND, BUT, FOR, OR, NOR, YET, SO.

Last day of summer vacation finally arrived; reluctantly we prepared for the first day of a new school year.

I was willing to compromise; you were not.

Note: Do not use a semicolon to join independent clauses unless there is a close relationship in thought between the main ideas of the clauses.

Incorrect: I enjoy ice-skating; I learned how to roller-skate when I was a child.

Correct: I enjoy ice-skating. I learned how to roller-skate when I was a child.

1S

Rewrite the following sentences replacing the commas and conjunctions with semicolons.

1. Math is easy for my friend, but it’s difficult for me.

2. I like our math teacher, but I don’t care for the class.

3. History is my best subject, and economics is my worst.

4. I’m studying Chinese because I want to become an expert on the Far East.

5. Foreign languages are easy for me, but reading is difficult.

2S

Punctuate the following with semicolons.

1. My friend thought the movie was terrific I thought it was boring.

2. I really don’t care to see films with a lot of violence I don’t like musicals either.

3. I like to go to movies I never watch them on TV.

4. I don’t go to movies they are expensive, and I am on a tight budget.

5. Nobody likes the theater near the campus the seats are very uncomfortable.

3S

In which of the examples might a semicolon be preferred to the full stop?

1. Neurotic men, from Lord Byron to Cary Grant, have been admired for dominating their condition. Neurotic women, notably Marilyn Monroe, have been admiring for surrendering to it.

2. Sir John was found guilty of driving with double the legal limit of alcohol in his bloodstream. ‘You are a very foolish man’, said the judge, ‘but on this occasion I shall turn a blind eye to your folly.’

3. At about two in the morning, the last customers left the bar. The next day, I was awakened early by the sound of laughter outside my window.

4. In winter, I bring the geraniums into the house. All the other plants I leave outside.

5. The strong kept on walking until they reached the safety of the woods. The weak stopped to rest by the side of the road.

6. It was good to be in Italy at last. My grandmother had traveled a lot in Europe, but the rest of the family had little or no curiosity about the Old World.

2. Semicolon with Transitional Phrases

Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by the words ACCORDINGLY, FURTHERMORE, HENCE, HOWEVER, INDEED, INSTEAD, MOREOVER, NEVERTHELESS, OTHERWISE, SIMILARLY, STILL, THEREFORE, THUS, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR INSTANCE, THAT IS, IN FACT. A transitional expression is followed by a comma.

Peter failed two subjects; consequently, he will have to be in a junior home room next year.

My father is a basketball fan; in fact, he has not missed a single home game in the last three years.

4S

Punctuate the following using commas and semicolons where they are appropriate.

1. We have some cinnamon in the cupboard it is very old however.

2. This recipe is my grandmother’s therefore it should be very good.

3. We don’t have any tea consequently I can’t offer you any.

4. This coffee is very weak moreover it is almost cold.

5. I’ve already had two pieces of pie I’ll have another small piece nevertheless.

6. I’ve eaten too much I am therefore going to skip dinner.

7. Fish is low in fat and it is high in protein.

8. Fresh fish is difficult to get in this part of the country I would eat more of it otherwise.

9. Have some fried carrots or eat one raw as a snack.

10. Actually I like vegetables I do not eat a lot of fruit however.

11. Celery is an excellent food but too much of it is not good for you.

12. I usually avoid greasy foods nevertheless I sometimes have French fries with a hamburger.