Punctuation is a device in
writing to help your readers understand better what you have expressed in your
writing. There are certain punctuation rules you need to follow in order to
make your meaning clear.
The Semicolon
The semicolon is used between
independent clauses (sentences that are complete and can stand alone) not
joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor,
or, so, yet).
e.g. I was very tied; I did not want to go home.
The sentence would
not be correct without the semicolon, which replaces the coordinating
conjunction but)
e.g. After hours of walking on the shopping mall I was very tied;
but I did not want to go home because I wanted to buy a
handbag.
In the above sentence, you may use both
the semicolon and the coordinating conjunction, instead of
either, because the sentence is a bit long.
e.g. The police knocked at the door; everybody in the room
became frightened. (correct)
e.g. The police knocked at the door, everybody in the room
became frightened. (incorrect: no conjunction)
e.g. The police knocked at the door, then everybody in
the room became frightened. (incorrect: then is not a conjunction)
e.g. The police knocked at the door, and then everybody in
the room became frightened. (correct)
A semicolon or a coordinating
conjunction is required to join two independent clauses or sentences; then
is not a coordinating conjunction.
Modifiers, such as in fact, on
the other hand, for example, in the first place, still
require a semicolon between independent clauses without a coordinating
conjunction.
e.g. That was the best book he had ever written; in fact,
it won him a book award.
e.g. That was the best book he had ever written, in fact,
it won him a book award. (incorrect)
Remember this: the semicolon is a
stronger break in a sentence than that of a comma, but weaker than that of a
period.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
