Punctuation's Odd Cousin: the Semicolon

Semicolons do look strange - a dot with a comma right underneath it, like a hybrid or a mutant punctuation mark. Odd looking or not, the semicolon can be useful. One of its main functions is to separate independent clauses (sentences), especially when the ideas are closely related. The first use of a semicolon is diagramed below:

Sentence (Independent clause) ; sentence (Independent clause).

You might have noticed that the second “sentence,” the one following the semicolon, begins with a lower case letter. Unless the second independent clause begins with a proper noun, a name or title like Captain Seafar, capital letters are not used. It seems at first to be another somewhat weird part of the use of the semicolon; however, the reason probably has to do with considering two independent clauses joined by a semicolon as one sentence.

Another main use of a semicolon is to clarify lists when they contain additional information set off by commas. A list of cities and states, for instance, needs semicolons to separate the items on the list: Corpus Christi, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Other lists may include extra, non-essential information. For example, a few of the many good aspects of life are the beach, especially on sunny days; a surf board; and a perfect wave. Only one item on the list includes a comma, but the whole list is separated by semicolons for absolute clarity. When a list is long and complex, semicolons make a huge difference in understanding exactly what the separate items on the list are.

Writers who just like the looks of semicolons might be tempted to over use them. Mostly, though, the funny-looking semicolon serves writers well for the two reasons discussed above.

Now it’s time for me to head out to the beach, perhaps to find the perfect wave; consequently, semicolons used with conjunctive adverbs must wait for another blog.

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! ‘Til then, hang ten!