;
Using semicolons
• To show comparisons
• In a list of phrases
• To add extra information to a sentence (both parts have to
make sense on their own).
To show comparisons
I struggled on the pitch yesterday; Joe was in brilliant form .
The school is at the end of the road; the bus stop is nearer town.
The semi-colon can replace connectives,
e.g. because, so, and, however, whereas,
although etc.
Use commas for a list of words
I need to buy: chicken, carrots, milk, bananas,
potatoes and crisps.
However you can use semicolons to separate a
list of longer phrases where commas might be
used within the phrases already, e.g.
The group includes: Jane, who is the manager;
Daniel, who just joined; Sam, the oldest
member and Freddy, the assistant.
Add more information but make sure that both sides could make
sense on their own. For example:
“Liverpool was the Capital of Culture; the museums and galleries
in the city are excellent.”
“She was really tired when she finished; exams are so
exhausting.”
Archbishop Beck has a new school; it is now situated on Long
Lane.
• To recap:
• In comparisons
• In a list of longer phrases
• To add information but making sure that this information could
make sense on its own.
• You don’t need a connective and a semicolon.
They do the same job!
• Michael won two awards; he was very proud of himself.
Correct because both sides make sense on their own.
• Michael won two awards; so he was very proud of himself.
• Michael won two awards; very proud.
Which is correct?
1. The experiment was over; clear results.
2. The experiment was over; the results were clear.
3. The experiment was over; also the results were clear.
Which is correct?
1. The experiment was over; clear results.
2. The experiment was over; the results were clear. CORRECT
3. The experiment was over; also the results were clear.
Which is correct?
1. At 2.45pm, she went to her Nan’s house; her Nan lived round
the corner from school.
2. At 2.45pm, she went to her Nan’s house; round the corner.
3. At 2.45pm she went to her Nan’s house; because she lived
round the corner from school.
Which is correct?
1. At 2.45pm, she went to her Nan’s house; her Nan lived round
the corner from school. CORRECT
2. At 2.45pm, she went to her Nan’s house; round the corner.
3. At 2.45pm she went to her Nan’s house; because she lived
round the corner from school.
Which is correct?
1. The war was almost over; the troops began to retreat.
2. The war was almost over; therefore the troops began to
retreat.
3. The war was almost over; troops retreating.
Which is correct?
1. The war was almost over; the troops began to retreat.
CORRECT
2. The war was almost over; therefore the troops began to
retreat.
3. The war was almost over; troops retreating.
Which is correct?
1. The population of the country is at a record high; due to
better living conditions and advances in medicine.
2. The population of the country is at a record high; this is due
to better living conditions and advances in medicine.
3. The population of the country is at a record high; because of
advances in medicine.
Which is correct?
1. The population of the country is at a record high; due to
better living conditions and advances in medicine.
2. The population of the country is at a record high; this is due
to better living conditions and advances in medicine.
CORRECT
3. The population of the country is at a record high; because of
advances in medicine.
;
Can you try using a semicolon to join two
similar sentences?