Grammar: The Semicolon (;)
B2 Punctuation: Joining Related Ideas
What is a Semicolon?
A semicolon (;) is a powerful punctuation mark that acts like a "super-comma." It's stronger than a comma but weaker than a full stop. Its main purpose is to link two complete sentences (independent clauses) that are very closely related in meaning, without using a connecting word like 'and' or 'but'.
Choosing Your Connection
Using a semicolon is a stylistic choice. Here are four ways to handle the same two ideas, showing the power and purpose of the semicolon.
| Punctuation Choice | Example |
|---|---|
| Full Stop (strong separation) | The tour guide was excellent. He knew so much. |
| Comma + Conjunction (standard connection) | The tour guide was excellent, and he knew so much. |
| Semicolon (shows a very close link) | The tour guide was excellent; he knew so much. |
| Comma Splice (INCORRECT!) | The tour guide was excellent, he knew so much. |
1. Don't use a semicolon with a conjunction (and, but, so, etc.)
The market was very crowded; so it was difficult to walk around.
Correction: The market was very crowded; it was difficult to walk around. OR The market was very crowded, so it was difficult to walk around.
2. Don't use a semicolon if the two sentences are NOT closely related.
The temple was ancient; I bought a coconut.
Correction: The two ideas are not related. Use a full stop. "The temple was ancient. I bought a coconut."
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise: Correct or Incorrect?
Is the semicolon used correctly or incorrectly in these sentences? Explain why.
- The weather was perfect; we took many beautiful photos.
→ Correct. (The two ideas are closely related.) - I was very tired; so I went to bed early.
→ Incorrect. (You should not use a conjunction like 'so' after a semicolon.) - He is a tour guide; his brother is a chef.
→ Correct. (The two sentences provide a close comparison.) - She speaks English fluently; her pronunciation is excellent.
→ Correct. (The second sentence adds specific detail to the first.)
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Join the Sentences
Rewrite these pairs of sentences into a single, more stylish sentence using a semicolon.
Example: The food was delicious. It was also very fresh. → The food was delicious; it was also very fresh.
- The sunrise at Angkor Wat was beautiful. The sky was full of amazing color.
- I have to wake up at 5 AM for a flight. I should go to sleep now.
Answers:
1. The sunrise at Angkor Wat was beautiful; the sky was full of amazing color.
2. I have to wake up at 5 AM for a flight; I should go to sleep now.
Key Vocabulary
- Semicolon The punctuation mark (;) used to connect closely related independent clauses.
- Independent Clause A group of words with a subject and verb that can be a complete sentence by itself.
- Comma Splice A common writing error where two independent clauses are joined only by a comma.