How to Use a Semicolon

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The semicolon can connect closely related ideas, spice up your writing, and make your sentences sound more sophisticated—if you use it correctly. If you'd like to know how to use the tricky semicolon the right way, just follow these easy steps.

Best Way to Use a Semicolon

Use a semicolon to replace a period and link 2 closely related sentences together. Write down a sentence, then write down another sentence that starts with a transitional phrase or conjunctive verb (like however, besides, finally, in other words, moreover, or in addition). Connect the 2 sentences with a semicolon.

Semicolon Usage Chart

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Linking Two Sentences

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  1. A complete sentence must contain a subject and a verb and be a complete thought. The subject is the person, place, or thing that the sentence is about, and the verb is the action that is being performed in the sentence.
    • Ex: "Wanda couldn't fall asleep last night."
  2. This sentence must be strongly related to the first sentence for the semicolon to work. [1]
    • Ex: "She had too much on her mind."
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  3. Remember to make the first letter of the second sentence lowercase. [2]

    Tip: You can treat a semicolon as a period to connect two closely related sentences. This means that you can replace any semicolon with a period.

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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Linking Items in a List

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  1. Each item in the sentence should contain commas, and each item should also be separated by commas. [4]
    • Ex: "I have a sister in Columbus, Ohio, another sister in Palm Springs, Florida, and a third sister in Oakland, California."
  2. This will make it easier to distinguish between the items in the list. [5]
    • Ex: "I have a sister in Columbus, Ohio; another sister in Palm Springs, Florida; and a third sister in Oakland, California."
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Linking Sentences with Internal Punctuation

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  1. This sentence can use a colon, dash, or comma. Sentences with internal punctuation tend to be longer. Using semicolons to separate sentences with internal commas is the most common method. [6]
    • Ex: "My cousin, Martha Mary Louise, is the most talented and original cook I have ever met."
  2. [7]
    • Ex: "She is very resourceful and can make almost any old food taste delicious, but she does specialize in the following items: cod, fruitcake, and squash."
  3. [8]
    • Ex: "My cousin, Martha Mary Louise, is the most talented and original cook I have ever met; she is very resourceful and can make almost any old food taste delicious, but she does specialize in the following items: cod, fruitcake, and squash."
    • Ex: "My cousin, Martha Mary Louise, is the most talented and original cook I have ever met; I love her cooking."
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Linking Sentences with a Transitional Phrase or Conjunctive Adverb

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  1. You can keep it simple.
    • Ex: "I ate an entire apple pie last night."
  2. [9]
    • Conjunctive adverbs are words that show a relationship between the two sentences, such as cause and effect, contrast, or comparison. Some examples include: however, besides, finally, and hence. [10]
    • Transitional phrases are used to move from one sentence to the next in a logical and smooth way. Some examples include in other words, moreover, and in addition.
      • Ex: " As a result,' I felt sick when I woke up."
  3. [11]
    • Ex: "I ate an entire apple pie last night; as a result, I felt sick when I woke up."
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Avoid Confusing the Semicolon with the Comma

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  1. Commas can be used to connect two simple sentences and a coordinating conjunction ( but, and, nor, or so , for example), while a semicolon cannot. [12]
    • Example of correct usage: "I love my cat, but he drives me crazy."
    • Example of incorrect usage: "I love my cat; but he drives me crazy."
  2. A comma can never be used to separate two independent clauses (complete sentences). This is called a comma splice and should be avoided at all times. [13]
    • Example of correct usage: "My kitty is cute; he loves to cuddle."
    • Example of incorrect usage: "My kitty is cute, he loves to cuddle."
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you use a semicolon in an example?
    Tristen Bonacci
    English Teacher
    Tristen Bonacci is an English Teacher with more than 20 years of experience. Tristen has taught in both the United States and overseas. She specializes in teaching in a secondary education environment and sharing wisdom with others, no matter the environment. Tristen holds a BA in English Literature from The University of Colorado and an MEd from The University of Phoenix.
    Tristen Bonacci
    English Teacher
    Expert Answer
    An example of a semicolon in a sentence could be "I love bananas; I love apples." This uses parallel construction—in other words, you have the same thing on both sides of the semicolon (a subject and a verb).
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    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 5
  • Question
    Can you use a semicolon instead of ", but"?
    Community Answer
    You can use a semicolon followed by "however,". A semicolon alone would not provide the indication that you are about to contrast something with what you just said, and you need to provide that indication.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Hyphens connect words to each other. Dashes are used to add emphasis or indicate a pause in thought.
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      References

      1. ↑ Tristen Bonacci. English Teacher. Expert Interview. 21 December 2021.
      2. ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/semicolon/
      3. ↑ Tristen Bonacci. English Teacher. Expert Interview. 21 December 2021.
      4. ↑ https://www.niu.edu/writingtutorial/punctuation/semicolon.shtml
      5. ↑ https://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/ua/media/56/learningguide-semicolons.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.niu.edu/writingtutorial/punctuation/semicolon.shtml
      7. ↑ https://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/ua/media/56/learningguide-semicolons.pdf
      8. ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/grammarpunct/semicolons/
      9. ↑ https://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/punctuation/semicolon.html
      1. ↑ Tristen Bonacci. English Teacher. Expert Interview. 21 December 2021.
      2. ↑ https://www.niu.edu/writingtutorial/punctuation/semicolon.shtml
      3. ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/commas/commas_vs_semicolons.html
      4. ↑ https://www.iup.edu/writingcenter/writing-resources/punctuation/comma-splices.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      The most common way to use a semicolon is to link two complete sentences rather than separating them by a period, whether they are simple sentences, contain internal punctuation, or are connected with a transitional phrase or conjunctive adverb such as “however,” “besides,” “finally,” or “in addition.” You can also use a semicolon to separate items in a complex list when the individual items contain punctuation. If you want to learn when to use a semicolon instead of using a comma, keep reading the article!

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