The main use of a semicolon is to hook together two independent clauses (sentences) that are closely linked in content.
*If you do not know what an independent clause is, or you are having trouble determing whether something is a sentence or not, see the page on independent and dependent clauses.
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The dog is hungry. My friend gives it some food.
The dog is hungry; my friend gives it some food.
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The road winds to the left. It trails off into the mountains.
The road winds to the left; it trails off into the mountains.
Another time to use a semicolon is when you have a list that is hard to keep track of with commas alone.
- The boy followed a girl in a pink hat, pink shirt, and pink shoes, a girl in a blue hat, a girl from Polk City, IA, and a girl with a proud, obnoxious Collie.
The boy followed a girl in a pink hat, pink shirt, and pink shoes; a girl in a blue hat; a girl from Polk City, IA; and a girl with a proud, obnoxious Collie.
written by Luke Rolfes |
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