1. Semicolon 1

2. The ceiling was low, and all planes were grounded. 2
Two similar or related sentence that are equal in importance can be combined using a semicolon (;).
The ceiling was low, and all planes were grounded.
The ceiling was low; all planes were grounded.

3. 3
Two sentences having related content are written as one, with a semicolon.
Paul Robeson was an excellent singer and actor; he was also a talented football player.
Robeson appeared in many plays and musicals; for example, he starred in Othello and Porgy and Bess.
Robeson appeared in Show Boat in 1926; subsequently, he acted in the films Jericho and Song of Freedom.

4. The committee discussed the problem, but they reached no conclusions.3
The committee discussed the problem, but they reached no conclusions.
The committee discussed the problem; they reached no conclusions.

5. 6
When might we use a semicolon in preference to a conjunction? If there are too many and’s in a sentence, we may get rid of one by substituting a semicolon.
The patient asked for steak and potatoes, and the doctors and nurses were astonished.
The patient asked for steak and potatoes; the doctors and nurses were astonished.

6. The weather was hot and sticky, and the boys and girls were listless.7
The weather was hot and sticky, and the boys and girls were listless.
The weather was hot and sticky; the boys and girls were listless.

7. 5
The gold and the silver finally gave out, and many miners settled down and became farmers.
The gold and the silver finally gave out; many miners settled down and became farmers.

8. You need your church, and your church needs you.9
If you have a good ear for the sound of sentences, you have noticed that a semicolon produces a quicker, brisker rhythm than a conjunction.
You need your church, and your church needs you.
You need your church; your church needs you.

9. Which sentence is more brisk and forceful? 8
Which sentence is more brisk and forceful?
A. You can sell your home, but you can’t sell rent receipts.
B. You can sell your home; you can’t sell rent receipts.
A. Clyde sat right in front of me, and we soon become close friends.
B. The brakes failed; the car crashed into the truck.

10. Which sentence is more brisk and forceful?9
Which sentence is more brisk and forceful?
B. You can sell your home; you can’t sell rent receipts.
B. The brakes failed; the car crashed into the truck.

11. A. The strike was called, and five thousand men laid down their tools.10
In which sentenced would the use of a semicolon reinforce the excitement of the action?
A. The strike was called, and five thousand men laid down their tools.
B. The game was very slow, and many fans left the stadium.

12. A. The strike was called, and five thousand men laid down their tools.11
In which sentenced would the use of a semicolon reinforce the excitement of the action?
A. The strike was called, and five thousand men laid down their tools.
B. The strike was called; five thousand men laid down their tools.

13. Which sentences are correctly punctuated? 12
Which sentences are correctly punctuated?
A. Bob shook the branches the apples came tumbling down.
B. Bob shook the branches and the apples came tumbling down.
C. Bob shook the branches; the apples came tumbling down.
D. Bob shook the branches, the apples came tumbling down.

14. Which sentences are correctly punctuated?13
Which sentences are correctly punctuated?
C. Bob shook the branches; the apples came tumbling down.