The semicolon is a punctuation mark that is used to connect related concepts, make your writing style more elegant and make your writing look more tidy and refined - if you use it properly! If you're interested in knowing how to properly use this - for many, esoteric - punctuation mark, follow these simple steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Linking Two Sentences
Step 1. Write a complete sentence
A complete sentence must contain a subject and a verb, and must make sense. The subject it is the person, place or thing that performs the action described by the verb, while the verb determines the type of action performed in the sentence.
Ex: "Carla just couldn't fall asleep."
Step 2. Write another sentence that is closely related to the first
In order for the semicolon to be used correctly, this sentence must have a content that is conceptually connected with that of the first.
Ex: "He had too many thoughts on his mind."
Step 3. Connect the two sentences with a semicolon
Remember that the first letter of the second sentence should be lowercase.
Ex: "Carla just couldn't fall asleep; she had too many thoughts on her mind."
Method 2 of 5: Linking List Items
Step 1. Write a sentence containing an articulated list
Each articulated element of the sentence should contain the necessary commas. The elements must also be separated and distinguished from each other using commas.
Ex: "I have a sister who lives in Gallipoli, in Salento, another sister in Rovereto, in Trentino, and a third sister in Marseille, in the South of France."
Step 2. Use the semicolon as a "super-comma" to separate the items in the list
This will help the reader to distinguish one element from another, without messing with commas.
Ex: "I have a sister who lives in Gallipoli, in Salento; another sister in Rovereto, in Trentino; and a third sister in Marseille, in the South of France."
Method 3 of 5: Linking Phrases That Contain Punctuation Marks
Step 1. Write a sentence that contains, in addition to the final period, other punctuation marks
These signs can be commas, colons, or dashes. Sentences that contain more punctuation marks tend to be longer. If two such sentences are related, the most common way to separate them is to use semicolons.
Ex: "My cousin, Marco Neri, is the best pastry chef in town."
Step 2. Write another related sentence that contains punctuation marks
Ex: "He is resourceful and capable of making any dessert I know, in particular he knows how to make these cakes very well: Sacher, Black Forest and Pavlova."
Step 3. Connect the sentences with a semicolon
Ex: "My cousin, Marco Neri, is the best pastry chef in town; he is resourceful and capable of making any dessert I know, in particular he can make these cakes very well: Sacher, Black Forest and Pavlova."
Step 4. Note:
You can also use the semicolon to connect a sentence containing punctuation marks and a simple one.
Ex: "My cousin, Marco Neri, is the best pastry chef in town; his shop is always full."
Method 4 of 5: Linking Phrases with Particular Phrases and Adverbs
Step 1. Write a sentence
It does not need to be particularly complex.
Ex: "Last night I ate all the chocolate salami that was in the fridge."
Step 2. Write another sentence related sentence, using a phrase or adverb to connect the two sentences
- Some adverbs, such as additionally or finally, can highlight the relationship between two sentences, such as cause and effect, contrast or comparison.
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Some phrases, as in other words, moreover and beyond that, are used to move from one sentence to the next with a certain continuity.
Ex: "As a result, I felt bad this morning."
Step 3. Connect the two sentences with a semicolon
Ex: "Last night I ate all the chocolate salami that was in the fridge; consequently, this morning I felt bad."
Method 5 of 5: Avoid Confusing the Semicolon with the Simple Comma
Step 1. Do not use a semicolon instead of a comma
You can use commas to connect two simple sentences and a coordinating conjunction (but, and, neither or so, for example), while you cannot use a semicolon to perform the same function.
- Example of correct use: "I love my cat, but sometimes it drives me crazy."
- Example of misuse: "I love my cat; but sometimes it drives me crazy."
Step 2. Do not use a comma instead of a semicolon
A comma can never be used to separate two independent clauses (complete sentences).
- Correct use example: "My kitty is so cute; she loves snuggling up on the sofa."
- Example of incorrect use: "My kitten is so cute, he loves to snuggle up on the sofa."
Advice
- Try to keep the sentences separated by semicolons as related as possible to each other.
- Use a semicolon in place of a full stop to highlight a closer relationship between two sentences.
- Grab a book and see how semicolons are used. The more you get used to reading texts that contain semicolons, the more proficient you will become at using them.
- Don't overuse semicolons; it might seem forced and would end up tiring the reader.
