Semicolons 101

The semicolon is stronger than the comma but weaker than the period. Often the choice you make depends on the pace you want to set in your sentence. Remember that you can't simply replace one mark of punctuation with another—certain elements may need to be added to or deleted from your sentence. Here is our summary of how to use semicolons correctly and how to avoid the mistakes writers often make.

Use semicolons

• between two independent clauses that aren't joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

  WRONG: Rashid wanted to take a day off, his team leader wouldn't let him.

  REVISED: Rashid wanted to take a day off; his team leader wouldn't let him.

  NOTE: By joining these two main clauses with a comma, you are creating a comma splice. You need a semicolon (or a comma with a coordinating conjunction).

• between two independent clauses that are joined by a conjunctive adverb (therefore, however, moreover, etc.)

  WRONG: Rashid wanted to take the day off, however, his team leader wouldn't let him.

  REVISED: Rashid wanted to take the day off; however, his team leader wouldn't let him.

• between items in a series that contain internal punctuation
  • The three most "liveable" cities in the world are Vancouver, Canada; Melbourne, Australia; and Vienna, Austria.
• for emphasis or antithesis (for a sharper break than a comma could provide)
  • The politician proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the unemployed worker fears this is true.
• in sentences containing elliptical clauses (the ellipses may be replaced by commas)
  • To err is human; to forgive, divine.

Do NOT use semicolons to

• separate unparallel items

  WRONG: After he ate breakfast; John woke up the children.

  REVISED: After he ate breakfast, John woke up the children

  NOTE: Semicolons are always used between elements of equal rank or strength (such as two independent clauses). The above example contains a dependent and an independent clause.

• introduce quotations

  WRONG: Trudeau is known for his quote; "Just watch me."

  REVISED: Trudeau is known for his quote: "Just watch me."

  OR

  REVISED: Trudeau is known for his quote, "Just watch me."

• introduce listings or summaries

  WRONG: Please don't forget to bring the following; the picnic basket, a blanket, and sunscreen.

  REVISED: Please don't forget to bring the following: the picnic basket, a blanket, and sunscreen.