Importance: ★★★
Discussion
The semicolon is an exceptionally useful punctuation mark, and one that is rather characteristic of English. Many people who are new to writing in English don’t understand what semicolons are for and frequently confuse them with colons. Speakers of Swedish in particular tend to have little experience with semicolons.
In essence, a semicolon is what it looks like: something halfway between a comma and a full stop. In the typical use, there are two requirements that must be met for a semicolon to be appropriate:
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It joins two complete independent clauses.
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There is a logical relation between these two clauses.
Here is a good example of semicolon use:
We do not need new laws targeting each specific distraction; we need a renewed appreciation and commitment to the laws against reckless driving which we already have.
Note that what we have in this example are two independent clauses, each of which could stand alone as a sentence. However, there is a strong logical connection between them, which can be indicated by the use of a semicolon rather than a full stop (period).
It is also worth noting that, just as a comma tends to correspond to a pause in spoken language, a semicolon represents a pause that is slightly shorter than one corresponding to a full stop. The following example would most likely be read aloud in a slightly different way:
We do not need new laws targeting each specific distraction. We need a renewed appreciation and commitment to the laws against reckless driving which we already have.
In Swedish, a common way to mark a close relationship between two clauses is simply to use a comma to join them. This is called satsradning in Swedish, and a “comma splice” in English. While many people consider this acceptable in Swedish, it is generally considered unacceptable in English. One solution is to use a semicolon instead:
The authors do not have to explain the technical terms, the readers are assumed to know them.
The authors do not have to explain the technical terms; the readers are assumed to know them.
The word class most frequently found to be modified by absolutely is adjectives, 64 per cent of the modified word classes analysed were adjectives, as shown in Table 1.
The word class most frequently found to be modified by absolutely is adjectives; 64 per cent of the modified word classes analysed were adjectives, as shown in Table 1.
Japan had taken precautionary measures in order to withstand natural forces but was still overwhelmed by the earthquake, this proves that nature is relentless and cannot be surpassed by safety protocols.
Japan had taken precautionary measures in order to withstand natural forces but was still overwhelmed by the earthquake; this proves that nature is relentless and cannot be surpassed by safety protocols.
Summary
A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are logically related.
Further Discussion
Another use of a semicolon is to replace commas in a complex list. This is done when the list items themselves contain commas:
This essay presents a comparison of three texts: Text A, an excerpt from an academic textbook; Text B, a popular magazine article; and Text C, an academic journal article.
Swedish people put great pride in how well they have progressed in democracy and equality issues: discrimination based on gender, nationality, sexuality, age, etc., is prohibited by law; there are general elections as a means to decide which party or parties should form government; and all Swedish citizens over the age of 18 have the right to vote.
Let’s conclude by looking at some ways not to use a semicolon. First of all, it is important to understand that a semicolon is never used like a colon, to introduce an example or a list:
Here I compare three texts of different genres; a magazine article, a chapter from a student textbook, and a article published in an academic journal, all on the subject of homelessness in the United States.
Here I compare three texts of different genres: a magazine article, a chapter from a student textbook, and a article published in an academic journal, all on the subject of homelessness in the United States.
Through the narrative she describes the pride and joy she takes in helping her father taking care of the foxes; “work done out of doors, and in my father’s service, was ritualistically important.”
Through the narrative she describes the pride and joy she takes in helping her father taking care of the foxes: “work done out of doors, and in my father’s service, was ritualistically important.”
A semicolon should also not be used like a comma. Remember that both what comes before and what comes after must be complete clauses:
The quote clearly illustrates Twyla’s relationship with her mother, since although she was only eight years old at the time; she was the adult in the relationship.
The quote clearly illustrates Twyla’s relationship with her mother, since although she was only eight years old at the time, she was the adult in the relationship.
Ususally, a comma is the best way to fix such problems, though at times a dash is also appropriate:
The last text, in contrast to the others, has long paragraphs, headings before each paragraph and references; both in the text and at the end.
The last text, in contrast to the others, has long paragraphs, headings before each paragraph and references, both in the text and at the end.
The last text, in contrast to the others, has long paragraphs, headings before each paragraph and references—both in the text and at the end.
Related Topics
Avoiding Comma Splices, Using Colons, Using Commas
Further Resources
For a Swedish perspective on semicolons, see Patrik Hadenius’ Semikolonet ett otydligt tecken i tiden.
For a humorous guide to semicolons, see The Oatmeal’s How to use a semicolon, The most feared punctuation on Earth.