semicolon

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "semicolon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you wish to create a stronger separation between two independent clauses or ideas in a sentence and when the two clauses are related or similar in some way. Example: She wanted to buy the dress; however, she didn't have enough money.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I could do without the semicolon, possibly because I misused it in my 20s.

The Guardian - Books

Could you live happily without the semicolon?

The Guardian - Books

This Babbage found Mr Inman's hilariously presented and perfectly accurate advice on the use of the semicolon invaluable (see above for a foretaste).

The Economist

But to judge by the latest, tortuous moves in climate-change diplomacy at a two-week gathering in western Poland, which ended on December 13th there is little sign of any mind-concentrating effect.To be fair to the 10,000-odd people (diplomats, UN bureaucrats, NGO types) who assembled in Poznan, a semicolon was removed.

The Economist

He wrote one effective drama, Sheshlili (written 1839, first performed 1861; "The Madwoman"), about women in conflict, as well as two successful comedies, Dava, anu tochka da zapetaia (written 1840, first performed 1850; "The Lawsuit, or Semicolon") and Gaqra (1849; "The Family Settlement").

Encyclopedia Britannica

Semicolon - Use a semicolon when you link two independent clauses with no connecting words.

Independent

7) Semicolon vs Comma Possibly the worst mistake since socks and sandals, the semicolon and comma are related - but have a fundamental difference: Comma - Use a comma after the first independent clause when you link two independent clauses with one of the following coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

Independent

"Do you feel like the poor semicolon and the equals sign never get any respect?

Independent

Trying to decipher where that dreaded semicolon goes and whether it really even matters can consume you.

Independent

In my observation, British writers reach for the semicolon much more often than American writers do.

The New Yorker

A brief, unscientific study of the two New Yorker film critics, Anthony Lane (U.K). and David Denby (U.S.A)., reveals that Lane uses the semicolon almost twice as often as Denby.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use a "semicolon" to connect two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. This creates a more fluid connection than using separate sentences.

Common error

Avoid using semicolons in every other sentence. Overuse can make your writing seem pretentious and disrupt the flow. Opt for commas, periods, or conjunctions where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The "semicolon" functions as a connector between two independent clauses that are related. Ludwig AI validates that this usage is grammatically correct and commonly seen in various contexts, enhancing sentence flow and coherence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The "semicolon" is a punctuation mark used to connect related independent clauses, indicating a stronger connection than a comma but less separation than a period. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It appears frequently in news media, encyclopedias and formal writing. To use it effectively, ensure both clauses it connects could stand alone as sentences and share a close relationship. Overusing it can make writing seem pretentious. Some alternatives, like "commas", "periods", and "em dashes" offer different stylistic choices depending on the desired effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

colon

Indicates another punctuation mark used to introduce explanations or lists.

comma

Refers to a different punctuation mark used for creating pauses within sentences.

em dash

An alternative to semicolons, used to indicate a break in thought or to set off parenthetical information.

period

Represents a full stop, offering a stronger separation than a semicolon.

hyphen

Denotes a mark used to join words or parts of words.

parentheses

Symbols used to enclose additional information within a sentence.

quotation marks

Punctuation marks used to indicate direct speech or quotations.

apostrophe

A punctuation mark used to indicate possession or contractions.

exclamation point

Used to indicate strong emotion or emphasis.

question mark

Indicates a question.

FAQs

How do I use a "semicolon" in a sentence?

A "semicolon" is used to join two related independent clauses, where each clause could stand alone as a sentence. For example: 'The sky is clear; the stars are out tonight.'

What's the difference between a "semicolon" and a comma?

A comma creates a brief pause within a sentence, often used with conjunctions like "and" or "but". A "semicolon", on the other hand, connects two independent clauses without a conjunction, indicating a closer relationship than separate sentences would suggest.

What are some alternatives to using a "semicolon"?

Instead of a "semicolon", you can use a period to create two separate sentences, or a comma with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) to link the clauses. An "em dash" can also be used for a more informal connection.

When is it incorrect to use a "semicolon"?

It's incorrect to use a "semicolon" to connect an independent clause with a dependent clause or a phrase. Semicolons should only be used between two parts of the sentence that could stand as complete sentences on their own.