What are semicolons?

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Semicolon

Grammar Toolkit

Semicolon

Like a comma, a semicolon separates parts of a sentence. However, a semicolon’s pause is longer than

a comma but shorter than a full-stop.

I love diving. It’s my whole life. The long pause of the full-stop separates the two ideas in different sentences.

I love diving, for it’s my whole life. The short pause of the comma runs the two ideas together.

I love diving; it’s my whole life. The in-between pause of the semicolon emphasises the relationship between the ideas and is more dramatic.

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Semicolon

Rewrite each pair of sentences as one sentence with a semicolon. Don’t use a

capital letter after the semicolon.Don’t juggle with knives. They’re not toys.

Replace the conjunctions and commas in these sentences with semicolons. Note that each part of the sentence is

an independent clause.

I like chocolate, but I love caramel.; I love caramel.

I have four dogs. Three of them are greyhounds.; they’re not toys.

; three of them are greyhounds.

We could talk for hours, and talking is great medicine.; talking is great medicine.

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Semicolon

Don’t use a comma when you should use a semicolon. You can join independent clauses with a semicolon, or with a

comma and a conjunction — a comma by itself is not enough. Join these clauses using the chosen punctuation mark.

, and

;

;

, but

The sun is well and truly up

I need a scarf

Some people love summer

Tex forgot his homework

my stomach is empty!

this weather is too cold for me.

some people thrive in winter.

his mum brought it to school. comma

semicolon

semicolon

comma

I am delivering a box of blank discs,the new type that come from Germany; a Whizz-O 3000computer; 50 writing pads,but not the blue

ones you ordered because we’ve run out; an electric pencil

sharpener; and five boxes each of red,green blue and black pens.

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Semicolon

A semicolon is also used to punctuate a complicated list, especially one that already contains commas. The

semicolons help you know where to pause. ,

;; ,

;;

, ,

Some of my favourite characters are Winnie the Pooh,whose best friend Piglet helps him to understand the world; Han Solo, whose best friend Chewbacca helps him to survive in space; and Superman, whose friends Batman, Aquaman and Wonder Woman help him to save the world.

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Semicolon

Where do semicolons and commas belong in this paragraph?

,; ,

; ,,

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Semicolon

• Punctuation helps others to understand our writing.

• Semicolons (;) show a pause longer than a comma but shorter than a full-stop (e.g. Your hair is black; mine is red).

• Semicolons help to punctuate a complicated list, especially one that already contains commas (e.g. You will need orange, blue and green paper, cut into wide strips; a ball of thick, black wool; and paperclips for each child.)

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Semicolon

The End