You either love them, hate them, or are simply afraid of them. If you dislike the semi-colon as many writers and teachers do, then any explanation of their use will be lost on you, so carry on. If you are leery of them, then hopefully this brief explanation helps to put your fears to rest and encourages you to give them a go once in awhile.
The semi-colon is not a colon, which means "as follows" or "as a result" and typically presents lists or provides emphasis of some sort.
Example: I had several items to retrieve: cell phone, suitcase, shaving kit, i-Pod. (use a colon here)
The semi-colon is not a fancy substitution for a comma. It must separate two complete thoughts (independent clauses), each containing its own verb.
The semi-colon is useful in separating divisions within long lists utilizing commas in order to maintain clarity.
Example: He visited several colleges, schools, and institutions; several factories, office buildings, and churches; and a number of public facilities.
The semi-colon is an optional replacement for a period when two thoughts are so closely related to one another that they simply cannot bare being separated by something as round and cold as a period.
If two related thoughts are shorter in length, the use of a period between them may result in choppy writing. A semi-colon, on the otherhand, has the ability to add a sense of style when used with proper intentions.
Examples: I waited until 3:00 that afternoon; she never did show.
My boss had a good sense of humor; nevertheless, I still couldn't stand him.
Okay, so there you have it; it's pretty basic stuff. Keep my little friend in mind the next time you're writing something. Don't go crazy, as I'm pretty sure that's why there are haters out there.
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