I Have Good News and Better News about the Semicolon

How tricky that semicolon is! Some people are not sure whether to use a period (.) or a comma (,) so they use them both (;) and hope the reader will figure out what they mean!

No wonder some of us are so easily confused about the semicolon. When we look up the rule in a reference book, we find four to six pages of technical definitions and obscure examples.

Pointers

But here’s the good news: While you may think that the semicolon has an endless number of rules, in fact, it has basically only two simple applications:

1. Use a semicolon to separate two complete, closely related thoughts. Examples:

Tina works in New Jersey; Bob works in New York.

We rent the office; however, we own the house.


2. Use semicolons to separate items in a series if any of the items already have commas. Examples:

Last summer we went to Santorini, Greece; Venice, Italy; and Cannes, France.

I have worked with Julia, a waitress; Evelyn, a bookkeeper; Clyde, a teacher; and Harry, an administrator.

Practice

And here’s even better news: You can try your hand at applying the semicolon right away in the sentences below. The correct answers immediately follow them, so no peaking until you’re done!

DIRECTIONS: If the semicolons and commas in the sentences below are correct, leave them alone; if they are incorrect, correct them.

1. Syreeta and Kristin are not in their office; they are in the conference room.

2. Neither Vivian nor Lionel will; however, authorize the transaction.

3. Jessica needs to speak with Gisleiny, Chief Executive Officer, Catherine, Chief Operating Officer, Marlene, Chief Financial Officer, and Marcia, Chief Information Officer.

4. Since she is a part of the team; Martha will attend the meeting.

Answers

1. The semicolon is correct because it separates two complete, closely related thoughts.


2. The semicolon is incorrect because it is not separating two complete, closely related thoughts. Use commas to separate words and phrases interrupting one complete thought. The correct punctuation is as follows:

Neither Vivian nor Lionel will, however, authorize the transaction.


3. The punctuation is incorrect because the items in a series need semicolons to distinguish the items with their descriptors from the other items and their descriptors. The correct punctuation is as follows:

Jessica needs to speak with Gisleiny, Chief Executive Officer; Catherine, Chief Operating Officer; Marlene, Chief Financial Officer; and Marcia, Chief Information Officer.


4. The semicolon is incorrect because it is not separating two complete, closely related thoughts. Use commas to separate an introductory phrase from a complete thought. The correct punctuation is as follows:

Since she is a part of the team, Martha will attend the meeting.


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