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How do you use a semicolon?: Difference between revisions
→The use of semicolon
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== | ==Proper Usage== | ||
#The semicolon is used to separate major sentence elements of equal grammatical lengths (Hacker 250). | |||
#The semicolon is used between closely related independent clauses not joined with a coordinating conjunction (Hacker 251). | |||
##Related independent clauses in one sentence are usually connected with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) (Hacker 251). | |||
comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) (Hacker 251). | ##The conjunction expresses the relation between the clauses. | ||
###If the relation is clear without the conjunction, a writer may choose to connect the clauses with a semicolon instead. (Hacker 251) | |||
relation is clear without the conjunction, a writer may choose to connect the clauses with a semicolon instead. (Hacker 251) | ####"''Injustice is relatively easy to bear;what stings is justice''." - H.L.Mencken | ||
#A semicolon must be used whenever a coordinating conjunction has been omitted between independent clauses. | |||
##If a comma is used instead of a semicolon, it creates a kind of run-on sentence called a comma splice. (Hacker 251) | |||
omitted between independent clauses. If a comma is used instead of a | ###''In 1800, a traveler needed six weeks to get from New York City to Chicago; in 1860, the trip by railroad took two days'' (Hacker 251). | ||
semicolon, it creates a kind of run-on sentence called a comma splice. (Hacker 251) | #Use a semicolon between independent clauses linked with a transitional expression (Hacker 251). | ||
:*Transitional expressions consist of conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases (Hacker 251). | :*Transitional expressions consist of conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases (Hacker 251). | ||
:;Conjunctive Adverbs: ''accordingly, also, anyway, besides, certainly, consequently, conversely, finally, furthermore, hence, however, incidentally, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevetheless, next, nonetheless, otherwise, similarly, specifically, still, subsequently, then, therefore, thus'' (Hacker 251). | :;Conjunctive Adverbs: ''accordingly, also, anyway, besides, certainly, consequently, conversely, finally, furthermore, hence, however, incidentally, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevetheless, next, nonetheless, otherwise, similarly, specifically, still, subsequently, then, therefore, thus'' (Hacker 251). | ||