Two Uses of a Semicolon  
Solution

#1 Use for a Semicolon
Use a semicolon in place of a comma plus conjunction when combining independent clauses in a sentence.

If you've worked through the tutorial on Avoiding Comma Splices, Run-Ons, and Fused Sentences, you're already familiar with one way of combining independent clauses in a sentence:

Sometimes, however, the comma conjunction can interrupt or slow down the pace of the sentence. Then you will want to use a semicolon instead of a comma conjunction.




Look at the following sentences. Each contains a pair of independent clauses joined by a semicolon.
  • Many Americans love baseball; in fact, it's sometimes called the Great American Pastime.
  • Lee and Jessica went to see the new Spielberg movie; it opened today.
  • Scholars have offered various explanations of the origin and purpose of Stonehenge; however, its actual history remains a mystery.

Pay special attention to the third example above; it illustrates an important use of the semicolon. Sometimes, writers use a conjunctive adverb to explain the relationship between two independent clauses. Look at the following examples:

Cause Coach wants to make sure we win the championship next week; therefore, we have extra practices this week.
Contrast We've always had cats for pets; however, we decided to get a dog this time.
Cause / Effect The camera was guaranteed for a year; therefore, she returned it to the store.


Similarly, semicolons are used to separate independent clauses joined by transitional phrases like those in the following examples:
  • Michael got a raise at work this week  ; in fact,   his salary nearly doubled.
  • He likes to watch fact-based television  ; for example,   he likes The Weather Channel and The History Channel.
  • I really want to go to a movie tonight  ; on the other hand,   I really want to finish this paper too.




#1 Use for a Semicolon
Use a semicolon in place of a comma plus conjunction when combining
independent clauses in a sentence.




Two Cautions:
  1. Make sure you don't use both a semicolon and a conjunction; that would be redundant.

  2. Avoid overusing semicolons. Combining independent clauses with a semicolon gives the sentence a crisper rhythm--a sort of abruptness that contrasts with the smoother combination with a comma conjunction. Good writers save that rhythm for sentences when it will be most effective.

On the next page, we'll look at a second use for semicolons.