{"id":35,"date":"2014-07-18T19:26:33","date_gmt":"2014-07-18T19:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/successfulwriting\/?post_type=chapter&p=35"},"modified":"2014-07-19T04:42:40","modified_gmt":"2014-07-19T04:42:40","slug":"3-2-semicolons","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-fmcc-writingforsuccess-2\/chapter\/3-2-semicolons\/","title":{"raw":"3.2 Semicolons","rendered":"3.2 Semicolons"},"content":{"raw":" \r\n
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3.2<\/span> Semicolons<\/h2>\r\n
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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\nAnother punctuation mark that you will encounter is the semicolon (;)<\/span><\/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.\r\n
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    Semicolons to Join Two Independent Clauses<\/h2>\r\nUse 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.\r\n
    \r\n\r\nCorrect:<\/strong> Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview;<\/strong> appearances are important.\r\n\r\nChoppy:<\/strong> Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview.<\/strong> Appearances are important.\r\n\r\nIncorrect:<\/strong> Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview,<\/strong> appearances are important.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nIn 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.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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    Semicolons to Join Items in a List<\/h2>\r\nYou 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.\r\n
    \r\n\r\nCorrect:<\/strong> The color combinations we can choose from are black, white, and grey;<\/strong> green, brown, and black;<\/strong> or red, green, and brown.\r\n\r\nIncorrect:<\/strong> The color combinations we can choose from are black, white, and grey, green, brown, and black, or red, green, and brown.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nBy using semicolons in this sentence, the reader can easily distinguish between the three sets of colors.\r\n
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    Tip<\/h3>\r\nUse semicolons to join two main clauses. Do not use semicolons with coordinating conjunctions such as and<\/em>, or<\/em>, and but<\/em>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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    Exercise 1<\/h3>\r\nOn your own sheet of paper, correct the following sentences by adding semicolons. If the sentence is correct as it is, write OK<\/em>.\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