Quick Answer: What Are The Three Semicolon Rules?

What is semicolon example?

A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark that is used to separate and connect independent clauses or when something stronger than a comma is needed.

Most often, semicolons are used to connect two independent clauses instead of using a comma + conjunction.

Examples of Semicolons: Joan likes eggs; Jennifer does not..

When to use a colon or a semicolon?


How do you use a colon and semicolon?

Colons (:) are used in sentences to show that something is following, like a quotation, example, or list. Semicolons (;) are used to join two independent clauses, or two complete thoughts that could stand alone as complete sentences.

Is a semicolon a formal?

The semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark in English separating elements but used much less than the comma. It is more often used in more advanced extended sentences and adds a formal tone.

Do you use a colon when listing things?


How do you use semicolons in a list?

Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the items contain commas. There are basically two ways to write: with a pen or pencil, which is inexpensive and easily accessible; or by computer and printer, which is more expensive but quick and neat.

What’s the meaning of semicolon?


When listing Do you use a comma or semicolon?

It is usual to use commas to separate the items in a list. However, when the list items themselves contain commas, you can “outrank” those commas by using semicolons as the separators for your list items.

How do you use a semicolon in a sentence examples?


What is the effect of using a semicolon?

Uses of Semicolons The semicolon forces the reader to make a pause, shorter than you would with a period, but longer than you would for a comma; however, the pause isn’t as abrupt as for a dash. The semicolon pause creates that relationship, close, but not too close, not too abrupt.

Do you use a colon after dear?

If your email has a formal tone, use Dear and a colon at the end your email salutation. Dear Ms. … If your email has an informal tone, insert a comma between the greeting and the name, and use either a comma or a period at the end of the greeting. Hello, Kathy, (followed by your message) or Hi, Kathy.

What are the rules of a semicolon?

Rule. Use a semicolon between closely related independent clauses which are not joined by a coordinating conjunction. This rule means that semicolons are used between two complete sentences which are not already linked by words like and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.

Why use a semicolon instead of a conjunction?

Use a semicolon to replace a comma when you use a coordinating conjunction to link independent clauses that already contain commas. In this example, using a semicolon makes it easier to read the two independent clauses on either side of the coordinating conjunction: Correct: My dog is sick.

What does a semicolon mean in a list?

Semicolons can be used to separate parts of a sentence. They can also separate two main clauses or grouped items in a list. Semicolons can also help to simplify lists by showing which items are grouped together.

Do you use semicolons in a bulleted list?

So, how should you punctuate bulleted lists? … a comma or no punctuation for lists that do not contain the main verb. a full stop after each sentence for lists that contain at least one item with multiple sentences. a semicolon otherwise.