Semicolons Join, Clarify and Separate

The semicolon is a joiner; it connects two closely related thoughts or statements.

The above description of semicolons illustrates three characteristics of their correct use:

• The thought preceding and following the semicolon are closely related.
• The statement that follows the semicolon relies on the first statement for its meaning.
• The statement before and after the semicolon could stand alone and be grammatically correct.

Here are other examples of semicolon use:

Right: Carolyn is a gifted gardener; she grows the most beautiful roses.
Wrong: Carolyn is a gifted gardener; with the most beautiful roses.

Right: Use care when washing clothes in hot water; garments can shrink or fade.
Wrong: Use care when washing clothes in hot water; as they can shrink or fade.

Right: Joe is on his way to becoming a respiratory therapist; he has just passed his state boards.
Wrong: Joe is on his way to becoming a respiratory therapist; having just passed his state boards.

Note in each wrong example that the phrase following the semicolon is a fragment rather than a complete sentence.

The semicolon clarifies, creating a more distinct separation than does a comma.
Consider the first example below that has only commas, and then consider the second example that uses semicolons.

• During the short interval of a week, a house came on the market in my old neighborhood in Austin, Texas, I made an offer that the owner, who had moved overseas, accepted, and I secured financing at a bank in Madison, Wis., in time to close by the end of the month.

• During the short interval of a week, a house came on the market in my old neighborhood in Austin, Texas; I made an offer that the owner, who had moved overseas, accepted; and I secured financing at a bank in Madison, Wis., in time to close by the end of the month.

Semicolons indicate separation when commas don’t do the job.
This week’s guests are Sen. Jack Jones of Helena, Mont., head of the finance committee; Rep. Sue Smith of Irvine, Calif., chair of the annual convention; and Gov. Tom Brown of Boston, Mass., leader of the first day’s workshop.

Ruthless Editor follows The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law guidelines for word and punctuation usage. Webster's New World College Dictionary serves as a secondary reference.

If you'd like to receive Kathy's FREE monthly tips on grammar and punctuation, email your request to: contact@ruthlesseditor.com