{"id":382,"date":"2015-04-21T19:00:05","date_gmt":"2015-04-21T23:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/writingforpublicrelations\/chapter\/3-2-semicolons\/"},"modified":"2021-01-13T12:19:06","modified_gmt":"2021-01-13T17:19:06","slug":"3-2-semicolons","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/writingforpublicrelations\/chapter\/3-2-semicolons\/","title":{"raw":"3.2 Semicolons","rendered":"3.2 Semicolons"},"content":{"raw":"
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
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  1. Identify the uses of semicolons.<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Properly use semicolons in sentences.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    Another punctuation mark that you will encounter is the semicolon (;)<\/a><\/span>. Like most punctuation marks, the semicolon can be used in a variety of ways. The semicolon indicates a break in the flow of a sentence, but functions differently than a period or a comma. When you encounter a semicolon while reading aloud, this represents a good place to pause and take a breath.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Semicolons to Join Two Independent Clauses<\/h2>\r\n

    Use a semicolon to combine two closely related independent clauses. Relying on a period to separate the related clauses into two shorter sentences could lead to choppy writing. Using a comma would create an awkward run-on sentence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Correct:<\/strong> Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview;<\/strong> appearances are important.<\/p>\r\n

    Choppy:<\/strong> Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview.<\/strong> Appearances are important.<\/p>\r\n

    Incorrect:<\/strong> Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview,<\/strong> appearances are important.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    In this case, writing the independent clauses as two sentences separated by a period is correct. However, using a semicolon to combine the clauses can make your writing more interesting by creating a variety of sentence lengths and structures while preserving the flow of ideas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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    Semicolons to Join Items in a List<\/h2>\r\n

    You can also use a semicolon to join items in a list when the items in the list already require commas. Semicolons help the reader distinguish between items in the list.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Correct:<\/strong> The color combinations we can choose from are black, white, and grey;<\/strong> green, brown, and black;<\/strong> or red, green, and brown.<\/p>\r\n

    Incorrect:<\/strong> The color combinations we can choose from are black, white, and grey, green, brown, and black, or red, green, and brown.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    By using semicolons in this sentence, the reader can easily distinguish between the three sets of colors.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Tip<\/h4>\r\n

    Use semicolons to join two main clauses. Do not use semicolons with coordinating conjunctions such as and<\/em>, or<\/em>, and but<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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    Exercise 1<\/h3>\r\n

    On your own sheet of paper, correct the following sentences by adding semicolons. If the sentence is correct as it is, write OK<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    1. I did not notice that you were in the office I was behind the front desk all day.<\/li>\r\n \t
    2. Do you want turkey, spinach, and cheese roast beef, lettuce, and cheese or ham, tomato, and cheese?<\/li>\r\n \t
    3. Please close the blinds there is a glare on the screen.<\/li>\r\n \t
    4. Unbelievably, no one was hurt in the accident.<\/li>\r\n \t
    5. I cannot decide if I want my room to be green, brown, and purple green, black, and brown or green, brown, and dark red.<\/li>\r\n \t
    6. Let\u2019s go for a walk the air is so refreshing.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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      Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n