Grammar Using Semicolons |
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation

Using Semicolons

Do you get confused about the proper way to use a semicolon? Semicolons do not represent a full stop at the end of a sentence, as periods do; rather, they’re like the “yellow light” of punctuation marks: they signal a pause between one sentence and the next. You slow down, then stop at the end of the second sentence.

Rule 1. Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out.

Examples:
Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.
They went to the scariest movie they could find; they didn’t invite their youngest sister.

Rule 2. It is preferable to use a semicolon before introductory words such as namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., or for instance when they introduce a complete sentence. It is also preferable to use a comma after the introductory word.

Examples:
You will want to bring many backpacking items; for example, sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing will make the trip better.
As we discussed, you will bring two items; i.e., a sleeping bag and a tent are not optional.

Rule 3. Use the semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas.

Example:
This conference has people who have come from Boise, Idaho; Los Angeles, California; and Nashville, Tennessee.

Pop Quiz

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

1A. Let’s go dancing; afterward we can get dessert.
1B. Let’s go dancing, afterward we can get dessert.

2A. Pizza is my favorite food; however, I haven’t had a chance to eat it in a couple of years.
2B. Pizza is my favorite food, however I haven’t had a chance to eat it in a couple of years.

3A. The three winners of the contest were Kelly Gee, California, Bob Davis, Delaware, and Sandy Hu, Nevada.
3B. The three winners of the contest were Kelly Gee, California; Bob Davis, Delaware; and Sandy Hu, Nevada.

Answers to Pop Quiz

Correct answers are indicated in bold type and by an asterisk (*).

1A.* Let’s go dancing; afterward we can get dessert.
1B. Let’s go dancing, afterward we can get dessert.

2A.* Pizza is my favorite food; however, I haven’t had a chance to eat it in a couple of years.
2B. Pizza is my favorite food, however I haven’t had a chance to eat it in a couple of years.

3A. The three winners of the contest were Kelly Gee, California, Bob Davis, Delaware, and Sandy Hu, Nevada.
3B.* The three winners of the contest were Kelly Gee, California; Bob Davis, Delaware; and Sandy Hu, Nevada.

If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.

43 responses to “Using Semicolons”

  1. Stewart says:

    I was wondering if you would confirm something relating to semi-colon use.

    Way back in school, I seem to remember being told it’s appropriate to use a semi-colon when introducing lists in sentences (rather than using bullet points.) For Example:

    I didn’t have to pick up too many items from the shop. All I got was; bread, milk, sugar, cereal.

    Can you confirm if this is an acceptable use of a semi-colon?

    • As you can see from Rule 2 of this blog and from Rule 2 from our chapter on semicolons, the proper use of a semicolon with a list is only when you are using introductory words such as namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., or for instance.

      Example: You will want to bring many backpacking items; for example, sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing will make the trip better.

    • Gary J says:

      Stewart, regarding your list. I think what you are remembering, and I use this all the time, is where you can use the semi-colon in a list, which also has commas in it, so as to define the groupings. For example, very common in theatrical bios: Director, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Producer, The Producers; Actor, My Fair Lady; Director, Kinky Boots.

  2. Marten H. says:

    I am a horror author with a bend toward the classical. One of my dearest friends is a former English instructor from ten years ago, and among our recent conversations, we brought up the topic of John Donne’s “Holy Sonnet X: Death Be Not Proud.”

    In the edition which I own, the final line reads as follows:
    “And Death shall be no more, Death thou shalt die;.”

    As you can see, the semicolon comes before the period.

    My friend looked to his own copies of Donne’s classical piece and could not find any instance of the semicolon before the period. We decided to do a little homework on the subject of semicolon-before-period and have found nothing–even for Seventeenth Century Poetry stating that it can be done for punctuation or stylistic purposes. I’m left believing that it is a typo, but I think it is the most beautiful typo I have ever seen. Imagine, saying “Death thou shalt die;.” The brief separation of units in a series–thinking dramatically of someone actually saying this at the moment of death and having that separation before the final period. That’s something I think should be brought to the ention of the Emperor of Punctuation wherever he may be.

    If I am incorrect and it is not a typo, I was wondering if you could please let me know. If it is, I think we shall have to contact “The Emperor of Punctuation.” This is a truly fascinating find.

    • What you are saying is fascinating but, alas, we think it is just a typo. No semicolon appears in this spot in my copy of The Norton Anthology of Poetry even though Donne uses four other semicolons in this sonnet. We have not seen a justification in anything We’ve read for a semicolon immediately preceding a period.

  3. Julia says:

    Can one ever use semicolons in front of quotations? I always use commas; but my husband uses semicolons. I don’t think it’s right all the time; but I’m wondering now if it’s ever correct.

    • We hesitate to say never, but a semicolon before a direct quote is not customary. Your husband is making the common mistake of thinking a semicolon is a variation on a colon; it isn’t.

  4. Keoni says:

    Thank you for such an invaluable service Grammarbook! I was able to find out about semicolon usage quickly and easily today.

  5. Marcus says:

    Thanks for your site… Just a quick question. You refer to the sentences as being separate – as though they are not one with a semicolon.

    “they signal a pause between one sentence and the next. You slow down, then stop at the end of the second sentence.”

    I assume you mean they are the one sentence but categories them as a second sentence due to the content being able to be a second sentence if required. Correct?

    Thanks!

    • Yes, we mean they are two sentences joined together to make one sentence.

      • rachel torres says:

        I praise You Father, and bless Your holy name. is this correct or should I use a semicolon?

        • A semicolon is not necessary; however, our Rule 8 of Commas says, “Use commas to set off the name, nickname, term of endearment, or title of a person directly addressed.” Also, the Chicago Manual of Style’s Rule 8.94 says, “Pronouns referring to God or Jesus are not capitalized. (Note that they are lowercased in most English translations of the Bible.)” Therefore, we recommend writing the following:
          I praise you, Father, and bless your holy name.

  6. Emilie says:

    Are this examples correct use of the semicolon:

    I want to move to London; I love the cold weather.

    My mum was busy all the time; nevertheless, she still managed to cook breakfast every morning.

    Clare loves writing; she wants to become a Journalist.

    Daisy is a vegetarian; she will refuse to order meat when she goes to a restaurant.

    Thankyou so much.

  7. leahcim says:

    Is it ok or correct to use a semicolon here. “Well if you want it; you already know.”

    • From what we can tell from your sentence, we recommend using a comma instead. Our Rule 10 of Commas says, “When starting a sentence with a dependent clause, use a comma after it.” Also, Rule 4a says, “Use a comma after certain words that introduce a sentence, such as well, yes, why, hello, hey, etc.”

      • leahcim says:

        Thank you so much. I knew it should have been a comma. Someone is not gonna b happy but I sure am.

  8. Billy says:

    Long time reader (transcriptionist, so these resources are immensely helpful) but first time poster

    I’ve had a problem with semi’s that’s been bothering me for a while. We’re encouraged to use proper punctuation wherever possible instead of falling back on the “-” catch-all (extremely necessary when transcribing spoken word, which so often is just a grammatical nightmare). In the following example, is it acceptable to use the semi?

    “Can I say this; having determined these matters on the second day of the hearing, blah blah blah.”

    If anyone with complete confidence in their knowledge on the subject can answer this question, I will gladly give you my firstborn.

    • From what we can tell from your sentence, we recommend using a colon instead of a semicolon after “Can I say this.” (You may hold on to your firstborn. Thanks anyway.)

  9. Shreshth says:

    Do we capitalize the word after a semicolon?

  10. HELP says:

    “Good job, John, Mary, May and Anne!” <– Is that correct?

    Or should I use semi-colons to separate the names when addressing 3 or more person?

    “Good job, John; Mary; May; and Anne!” <– Should it be like that?

  11. GAB says:

    Four sisters are writing a thank you note for a local paper. It is written like a thank you note, but it is not in letter form, it’s in paragraph/block form.
    One suggests the closing should say:
    We cannot thank you enough; Alice Jones, Becky Smith, Cathy Baker, Donna Tatum and our families.
    My question is, would a semicolon be used in this instance?
    What is another way to end this note?

    • A semicolon can replace a period if the writer wishes to narrow the gap between two closely linked sentences. However, “Alice Jones, Becky Smith, Cathy Baker, Donna Tatum and our families” is not a sentence, therefore your method wouldn’t be formally correct, but you could probably use it in this special instance. You could use a period after the sentence and no punctuation after the names:
      We cannot thank you enough.
      Alice Jones, Becky Smith, Cathy Baker, Donna Tatum, and our families
      Another possibility could be to use a long dash:
      We cannot thank you enough—Alice Jones, Becky Smith, Cathy Baker, Donna Tatum, and our families

  12. Kari MaKenna says:

    I have the sentence: “It’s not about you; it’s about them.” These are two separate sentences but they are related so a semicolon seems correct but I usually see it with a comma instead. Which is more correct? Thank you so much!

  13. Grace says:

    Is it a proper use of the semicolon if you end a paragraph with it? My example:
    …This transitions us into the next topic;
    They might also fear for their safety.

    • A semicolon is not used to end a paragraph. We’re not sure we understand your intention, but you might write
      “This transitions us into the next topic: They might also fear for their safety.”
      OR
      “This transitions us into the next topic.
      They might also fear for their safety.”

  14. Popo says:

    Why is the semicolon used over the colon in the first example? Doesn’t the second clause explain the first?

    “Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.”

    (The second clause says why to call.)

    Or maybe I’m not right in this?

    • Our Rule 1a of Semicolons says, “A semicolon can replace a period if the writer wishes to narrow the gap between two closely linked sentences.” Rule 4 of Colons says, “A colon instead of a semicolon may be used between independent clauses when the second sentence explains, illustrates, paraphrases, or expands on the first sentence.” Therefore, either a semicolon or a colon is acceptable in the example.

  15. Is the following semicolon used correctly.
    All of the grains; wheat, barley, oats, and corn had to be put through a big harvesting machine to separate the straw from the grain.

    • Because the list of grains is clarifying or used as an aside, we recommend using parentheses (see Rule 1 of Parentheses).
      All of the grains (wheat, barley, oats, and corn) had to be put through a big harvesting machine to separate the straw from the grain.

      Dashes would also be acceptable.
      All of the grains—wheat, barley, oats, and corn—had to be put through a big harvesting machine to separate the straw from the grain.

  16. Miyah says:

    I’m still confused about it; do you use it instead of (,) because on the pop quiz it looks like it? Did I use the semicolon right?

    • As Rule 1 states, “A semicolon can be used in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out.” The sentence in Pop Quiz question 1 could correctly be written as either
      Let’s go dancing; afterward we can get dessert. OR Let’s go dancing, and afterward we can get dessert. Sentence 1B, Let’s go dancing, afterward we can get dessert is incorrect because it is a run-on sentence.

      Similarly, use of semicolons in your example results in a run-on sentence. Periods are required. Your example should be written as follows:
      I’m still confused about it. Do you use it instead of a comma, because on the pop quiz it looks like it. Did I use the semicolon right?
      Please see our Rules for Semicolons and Rules of Commas for more information.

  17. K.B. says:

    Please would you confirm whether the semicolon is correct in the following sentence:

    Like a flamingo, this sentence structure has two legs; each leg of the sentence must be able to stand on its own.

    Having read your chapter on the semicolon, I’ve noted that semicolons and colons are not interchangeable, but one of the quiz answers (on the semicolon) states that both A) & B) are acceptable, so perhaps either may be used here?

    My own sense is that it needs a colon, not a semicolon, following the Fowler rule that the 2nd clause “pays” what is “invoiced” in the 1st clause?

    Thanks so much for a really helpful site.

    • As we mention in Rule 4 of Colons, “A colon instead of a semicolon may be used between independent clauses when the second sentence explains, illustrates, paraphrases, or expands on the first sentence.” Therefore, occasionally it is a matter of writer’s discretion as to the use of the semicolon vs. the colon. Our example of such a case in Rule 4 is He got what he worked for: he really earned that promotion.

      While we would favor a semicolon over a colon in your “flamingo” sentence, a colon would not be incorrect.

  18. Caden P Thompson says:

    I am an eighth grader who is writing an essay, and I was wondering if you were writing “based on the article (name of the article),” would you put a semicolon between “based on the article” and “(name of the article)”? Thanks in advance.

  19. benjie says:

    Is this sentence correct? “The choices are the following: First….; Second….;Third…;Lastly..”

  20. Laura says:

    Would you please let me know if a semicolon is correct here? I’m a proofreader, and the person has a comma. Thank you!
    And you tell her, “You are crazy”; don’t you?
    The way it’s currently written is:
    And you tell her “You are crazy,” don’t you?

Leave a Reply to Emilie Cancel reply

Please ensure that your question or comment relates to the topic of the blog post. Unrelated comments may be deleted. If necessary, use the "Search" box on the right side of the page to find a post closely related to your question or comment.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *