SemicolonsSemicolons;

Examples from 1984

“It was impossible that this affair should end successfully; such things did not happen in real life” (94).

“Their mouths clung together; it was quite different from the hard kisses they had exchanged earlier” (103).

When to use semicolonsUse semicolons between complete sentences (independent clauses) that are closely related in thought

“It was impossible that this affair should end successfully; such things did not happen in real life” (94).

“Their mouths clung together; it was quite different from the hard kisses they had exchanged earlier” (103).

When to use semicolons

Do not use a semicolon if the two complete sentences are joined by the conjunctions and, but, for, nor, or, so or yet.

Instead, use a comma before the conjunction.

“It was impossible that this affair should end successfully, for such things did not happen in real life” (94).

When to use semicolons

Do not use a semicolon if the two complete sentences are joined by the conjunctions and, but, for, nor, or, so or yet.

Instead, use a comma before the conjunction.

“Their mouths clung together, and it was quite different from the hard kisses they had exchanged earlier” (103).

Another example from 1984

“There were no telescreens, of course, but there was always the danger of concealed microphones by which your voice might be picked up and recognized; besides, it was not easy to make a journey by yourself without attracting attention” (98).

When to use semicolons

Use a semicolon between complete thoughts (independent clauses) joined by a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression.

“There were no telescreens, of course, but there was always the danger of concealed microphones by which your voice might b e picked up and recognized; besides, it was not easy to make a journey by yourself without attracting attention” (98).

Some other times to use semicolons

You may need to use a semicolon before FANBOYS if the independent clauses being joined contain commas.

CONFUSING: “It struck him [Winston] that when one lived with a woman disappointment must be a normal, recurring event, and a deep tenderness, such as he had not felt for her before, suddenly took hold of him” (116).

Some other times to use semicolons

You may need to use a semicolon before FANBOYS if the independent clauses being joined contain commas.

CLEAR: “It struck him [Winston] that when one lived with a woman disappointment must be a normal, recurring event; and a deep tenderness, such as he had not felt for her before, suddenly took hold of him” (116).

Some other times to use semicolons

Use semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas.

UNCLEAR: I have visited Paris, Texas, Rome, Georgia, and Cairo, Illinois.

CLEAR: I have visited Paris, Texas; Rome, Georgia; and Cairo, Illinois.