Semicolons

Semicolons

Rule 1:

Use a semicolon to separate 2 complete thoughts, when there is NO conjunction.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving.

• Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals; the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving.

• Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals, the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

Mr. Leyland played the viola professionally for many years and he now conducts a community orchestra.

• Mr. Leyland played the viola professionally for many years; and he now conducts a community orchestra.

• Mr. Leyland played the viola professionally for many years, and he now conducts a community orchestra.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

The crabgrass was flourishing but the rest of the lawn, unfortunately, was dying.

• The crabgrass was flourishing; but the rest of the lawn, unfortunately, was dying.

• The crabgrass was flourishing, but the rest of the lawn, unfortunately, was dying.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

The hill was covered with wildflowers it was a beautiful sight.

• The hill was covered with wildflowers; it was a beautiful sight.

• The hill was covered with wildflowers, it was a beautiful sight.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

As I turned around, I heard a loud thump for the cat had upset the goldfish bowl.

• As I turned around, I heard a loud thump; for the cat had upset the goldfish bowl.

• As I turned around, I heard a loud thump, for the cat had upset the goldfish bowl.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

The artist preferred to paint in oils he did not like watercolors.

• The artist preferred to paint in oils; he did not like watercolors.

• The artist preferred to paint in oils, he did not like watercolors.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

The house was clean, the table set, and the porch light on everything was ready for the guests' arrival.

• The house was clean, the table set, and the porch light on; everything was ready for the guests' arrival.

• The house was clean, the table set, and the porch light on, everything was ready for the guests' arrival.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

He looked carefully in the underbrush but he failed to notice the pair of green eyes staring at him.

• He looked carefully in the underbrush; but he failed to notice the pair of green eyes staring at him.

• He looked carefully in the underbrush, but he failed to notice the pair of green eyes staring at him.

Rule 2:

Use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb (or transitional word group) that joins independent clauses.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

The foundations of the house had been poured however, to his disappointment, nothing else had been done because of the carpenters' strike.

• The foundations of the house had been poured; however, to his disappointment, nothing else had been done because of the carpenters' strike.

• The foundations of the house had been poured, however, to his disappointment, nothing else had been done because of the carpenters' strike.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

The computer could perform millions of operations in a split second however, it could not think spontaneously.

• The computer could perform millions of operations in a split second; however, it could not think spontaneously.

• The computer could perform millions of operations in a split second, however, it could not think spontaneously.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

I thought registration day would be tiring but I didn't know I'd have to stand in so many lines.

• I thought registration day would be tiring; but, I didn't know I'd have to stand in so many lines.

• I thought registration day would be tiring, but I didn't know I'd have to stand in so many lines.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

The snowstorm dumped twelve inches of snow on the interstate subsequently, the state police closed the road.

• The snowstorm dumped twelve inches of snow on the interstate; subsequently, the state police closed the road.

• The snowstorm dumped twelve inches of snow on the interstate, subsequently, the state police closed the road.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

The suspect said that he had never met the victim however, the detective knew that he was lying.

• The suspect said that he had never met the victim; however, the detective knew that he was lying.

• The suspect said that he had never met the victim, however, the detective knew that he was lying.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

San Francisco is my favorite city in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there this summer.

• San Francisco is my favorite city; in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there this summer.

• San Francisco is my favorite city, in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there this summer.

Multiple Choice

Semicolon or Comma?

Juan didn't think he could win the race yet it was worth a try.

• Juan didn't think he could win the race; yet it was worth a try.

• Juan didn't think he could win the race, yet it was worth a try.

Rule 3:

Use a semicolon to separate items in a series when the items themselves contain commas.  (This is only used to avoid confusion when reading complicated lists)