Understanding Semicolons

To end a sentence

To separate items in a simple list

To link two independent clauses

To indicate a question

I like coffee. I drink it every morning.

I like coffee: I drink it every morning.

I like coffee; I drink it every morning.

I like coffee, I drink it every morning.

When it starts a new paragraph

When it links two independent clauses

When it is part of a list

When it ends a sentence

To shorten the length of sentences

To create a sense of urgency

To separate unrelated ideas

To enhance the flow and connection of ideas

A comma used at the end of a sentence

A semicolon used to separate complex list items

A comma used to link two independent clauses

A semicolon used to end a paragraph