Helpful Hints for Technical Writing
TheSemicolon
The semicolon dictates less pause than does a period,but more thandoes a comma.
In many cases, a periodor comma could replace a semicolon, and the meaningwould
remainclear;moreover,the grammarwould still be correct.Becausetherulesconcerning
,
theiruse areflexible, some authorsavoid semicolons,perhapsbeing uncertainof correct
usage. Possibly semicolons were used more 100 years ago then they are today; nevertheless, they still have a place in moderntechnicalwriting.
Semicolons are indispensable in a long sentence containing a series when commas are found within the
elements of the series.
Example: WSSA has met recently in Seattle,Washington;St. Louis, Missouri;and Denver,Colorado.
Example: The weed populationincludedblackmedic, a legume;crabgrass,a monocot;andcommonlambsquarters, a non-leguminousbroadleafweed.
Semicolons can separateindependentclauses thatare so closely relatedthey are betternot writtenas separate
sentences.
Example: When I was a boy, weed controlinvolved a greatinputof handlabor;it's differentnow.
Example: A weed is a plantgrowing where humansdo not want it; thus, volunteercorn is a weed in soybeans.
When two independent clauses are linked by conjunctive adverbs (e.g., however, moreover, therefore,
furthermore,consequently),a semicolon is appropriate.
Example: The weeds do not show symptomsof herbicideinjury;moreover,they seem to be growing normally.
Example: The seeding rate was adequate;however,only a few seedlings emerged.
A semicolon is appropriatein complicated sentences before transitionalwords or phrases(e.g., that is, for
example, namely).
Example: The examinersall came to the sameconclusion;namely,thatuncontrolledweeds hadreducedthe crop
yield.
Example: Farmershave a greatresponsibility;thatis, feeding a hungryworld.
The rules of grammardictatethatelementsjoined by a semicolon mustbe of equalrankor weight. Therefore,
semicolons must not be used betweena dependentclause and its mainclause. Such a sentencerequiresa comma.
Example: The crop was heavily infested with weeds, even thoughit had been cultivatedthreetimes.
Remember:
Semicolons, periods, and commas,
Our sentences punctuate.
Each one used correctly
Helps us to communicate.
JeanH. Dawson,WeedScientist,Prosser,WA99350
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WeedTechnology.1996. Volume 10:241