Semicolons add colour to your writing when used correctly. They join two independent clauses, enabling you to create engaging and well-written sentences.
If you want to strengthen your writing skills and use semicolons effectively, here is a guide to follow:
Connecting Independent Clauses:
Instead of using comma splices or conjunctions like or, but, or and, semicolons help to join two related sentences effectively.
For example: “Jane reported the incident at the police station; she felt relieved afterwards.”
Separating Items in a List:
Aside from joining independent clauses together, semicolons can be used to break up list items instead of commas. This helps to maintain clarity and consistency.
Consider this example:
“Kate, the baker; John, the astronaut; and Gill, the writer.”
Kate, the baker has its comma and can be termed a list item, just like John, the astronaut, and Gill, the writer.
Clarifying Complex Sentence Structures:
Semicolons also help to clarify complex sentence structures, especially when many phrases are involved. By using semicolons, you can break down the sentence into smaller, more manageable parts.
See this example: “Regardless of the accident, we decided to fellowship at church; however, the rain ruined our plans.”
To Join Run-on Sentences:
Run-on sentences are two independent clauses without proper punctuation. Use semicolons to give meaning to a sentence and avoid confusion.
Instead of saying “Canada is known for its cold weather it is still one of the most promising places to be”
The correct version is:
“Canada is known for its cold weather; it is still one of the most promising places to be.”
Avoiding Comma Splices:
Comma splices occur when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by a comma alone.
Semicolons can help you avoid this common error by providing a suitable alternative to connect the clauses. For example: “The sun was setting, it cast a warm glow over the horizon.” We could correct this sentence using a semicolon: “The sun was setting; it cast a warm glow over the horizon.”
When to use semicolons?
Remember, while semicolons can be a valuable tool in your writing, it is important not to overuse them. They are best suited where the ideas are connected and the use of a semicolon enhances the flow and clarity of the sentence. By understanding and applying these guidelines, you can use semicolons effectively and improve your writing.
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