Semicolons

Semicolons

Bellwork- What do you know about semicolons? When do you use them?

​

by Katherine Rodgers

​Semicolons

​Semicolons are used to join two related independent clauses in place of a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet).

​

​Reminder- If you use a semicolon, you do not have to capitalize the beginning of the second sentence.

​

​Rule #1

• ​You can only use a semicolon between two related independent clauses.

• ​This means that both sides of the semicolon have to be complete sentences.

• ​It will not have a fragment on either side.

​

​Example:

• ​My dog Oreo loves snacks; he is a chunky boy.

​NonExample

• ​My dog Oreo loves snacks; especially jerky.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence could you correctly use a semicolon in the blank?

• Joan likes eggs__he eats them every morning for breakfast.

• The cat slept through the storm__under the bed.

• Charmed__ it is my favorite tv show of all time.

​Rule #2

• ​You can use a semicolon to seperate items in a list if they have other punctuation. (for example-city, state)

​

​For example-

• ​As far as travel through the United States, I've visited Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco, California.

Multiple Choice

Where would you place semicolons to correctly replace the listing commas in the sentence below?

You can order a sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheese ham, egg, tomato, and cheese or tomato, lettuce, and avocado.

You can order_1_a sandwich with_2_bacon, egg, and cheese_3_ham, egg, tomato, and cheese_4_or_5_tomato, lettuce, and avocado.

• 1 and 4

• 2 and 5

• 3 and 4

• 1 and 5

​Rule #3

• ​You can also use a semicolon to join two related, or similar, sentences when using a conjunctive adverb.

​

​Example

• ​I had a huge meal; however, I am already hungry again.

Fill in the Blank

Punctuate the sentence below with semicolons or commas:

I know you don't like broccoli nevertheless it is very good for you.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not a semicolon rule?

• ​You can only use a semicolon between two related independent clauses.

• ​You can also use a semicolon to join two related, or similar, sentences when using a conjunctive adverb.

• You can use a semicolon to seperate items in a list if they have other punctuation.

• You can only use a semicolon to connect one independent clause and one dependent.