1. Semicolons! All About… By: Erik Rickards
Thanks to , for almost all my pictures.

2. What Is A Semicolon?
A mark of punctuation ( ; ) used to connect independent clauses and indicating a closer relationship between the clauses than a period does. ;?

3. When Are Semicolons Used?
Semicolons have three main uses:
#1. They can be placed between related independent clauses that have no coordinating conjunction.
#2. Being placed between two phrases linked with a transitional phrase or conjunctive adverb.
#3.Separating items in a list containing internal punctuation.

4. Semicolon Use #1
“The ice cream truck man drove by my house today; he had large hairy knuckles.”
Semicolons can be used to join two clauses that are related, like a comma.
Unlike a comma, semicolons do not require a coordinating conjunction “and, but, or”.
Example:
I stayed up late, because I wanted to watch the movie.
I stayed up late; I wanted to watch the movie

5. Semicolon Use #2
“My Aunt also had hairy knuckles; she loved to wash and comb them.”
Semicolons can be used to link dependent clauses to independent clauses, without conjunctions.
As you can see, the proper
use of a semicolon
Enables you to use this
dependent clause
in conjunction with this independent clause
BUT do not ever use a Semicolon in this manner with a
conjunction such as “but, and, or, nor”. Just use a comma instead.
NO.
My aunt’s hairy knuckles were glorious indeed; but
Also No.
My aunt’s knuckle hair was simply
magnificent , but I had no desire to stroke it.
Try this instead!

6. Semicolon Use #3
“When dinosaurs agree on something, they will often high-five
one another; dinosaurs are all about high- fives.”
If a comma had been used in this sentence, it would have formed a comma splice.
If a period had been used, it would have made two jumpy sentences.
A semicolon allows for more of a pause, while not completely cutting off the phrase.
Semicolons can be used to connect sentences or lists with internal punctuation.
Semicolons are also used when commas,
not related to a list, are used inside of a list.
Without semicolons, this sentence is implying that I travelled to London and England, but London is in England! That’s just silly.
In my quest to find truly wondrous knuckle hair,
I travelled to Tokyo, Japan, Fairbanks, Alaska, and London, England.
In my quest to find truly wondrous knuckle hair, I travelled to Tokyo, Japan; Fairbanks, Alaska; and London, England. In the End, I concluded that the greatest knuckle hair on earth is that of my close friend, the party gorilla, Austin Head.
HALT!

7. The End