Question

When should I use a semicolon

Answer 1

You should use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning and could stand alone as separate sentences but are related in meaning. The semicolon indicates a stronger connection between the two clauses than a period would, but a weaker connection than a conjunction like "and" or "but."

For example: "I have a big exam tomorrow; I need to study tonight."

In this example, each clause could stand alone as a separate sentence, but they are closely related in meaning and the semicolon indicates a stronger connection between the two clauses than a period would.

You can also use a semicolon to separate items in a list if the items themselves contain commas. This is called a complex list.

For example: "I have lived in Durham, North Carolina; Austin, Texas; and San Francisco, California."

In this example, the semicolons separate the items in the complex list, which contain commas themselves.

It's important to use semicolons sparingly and appropriately, as overuse can make your writing seem disjointed or pretentious.

Answer 2

You may use a semicolon to connect two independent clauses that are closely related in thought, but not closely related enough to be in the same sentence. For example: "I have a big presentation tomorrow; I need to get some rest."

Step-by-step explanation: