What is a Semicolon?

Punctuating Two Cores in One Sentence

Here’s an assertion I encountered when working on my dissertation: Adults rarely use semicolons incorrectly; in fact, they rarely use semicolons! (Still, I have observed some wonderfully creative uses.) However, I am not proposing a greatly increased use of semicolons. What I am suggesting is that there are places where they are useful and places where they are incorrect. You just oughta know which is which—and what your other options are!

Semicolons serve to separate two Cores in one sentence. We’ll get there, but first let’s just consider how and why we might put two Cores together in the first place when they could be two separate sentences:

1. They are logically related.
2. The are parallel.
3. They are short. 

Punctuation Options for Two Cores in One Sentence

1. Cores can be connected with a comma plus and, or, but:
I like coffee, and she likes tea. I like coffee, but she does not.
Notice that the only pause is after coffee. (We’d never pause after but.) And if you know these are coordinate conjunctions, you probably don’t need to read this!

2. Cores can be connected with a semicolon: a “soft period.” This means the Cores, again, could be separate sentences. So, the semicolon requires a Core on each side.
I like coffee; she prefers tea.
Dark chocolate is not just better; it is better for you. Incidentally, don't use a semicolon with and, or, but (except as indicated in # 6 below).

3. Cores can be connected with a qualifying word or phrase: however, moreover, furthermore, on the other hand:
I like coffee; however, she prefers tea.
Although these connectors look like and or but, they are not. Notice that while and and but are stuck between the two cores, these words can move around: I like coffee; she, however, prefers tea. I like coffee; she prefers tea, however. Unfortunately, many writers do not see (or hear) the difference and tend to punctuate them the same. 

Here’s what I often find: I like coffee, however she prefers tea. Whoops, just read the sentence aloud to test it. In fact, this is a sentence with two Cores where the second Core is preceded by the introductory word, however. Without the semicolon, this is a terrible error: a comma splice.

4. The second Core can serve as an explanation for the first Core: They have canceled the event: there is too much snow. Arguing purely from punctuation, one could use a semicolon here (they are both Cores); however, these two sentences don’t just sit side-by-side: in fact, the second explains the first, and only the use of a colon predicts that for the reader (remember “yoo hoo.”)
 
5. Semicolons can serve to separate sets of words in a sentence when the sets contain internal commas: We’re excited to be considering venues in these locations: New York, Monday, April 5; Boston, Monday, April 12; and Baltimore, Tuesday, April 20. (If the list is long or complicated, I'd strongly advise presenting the information in a table.)

6. Commas serve to separate a series of short Cores—usually: I walked the walk, I talked the talk, but I did not fool anyone. However, if one or more of the items in the series contains an insert, it is necessary to separate the items with semicolons: I walked the walk; I talked the talk; but, in fact, I did not fool anyone. (Remember, don’t use commas at two levels in the same sentence.) And, finally, note that when you do use a semicolon after the first Core, you must also do so before the and or but.

I think these guidelines have addressed the key ways to use a semicolon. And I hope they make sense, because their function is really to help you help your reader.

 

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Punctuation: Traffic Signals in a Sentence

Structural Punctuation in a Sentence

First, here is a little punctuation “quiz.”
(Just add punctuation and justify it.)
1. When I called Jane came running.
2. We moved to Liberty Missouri years ago.

3. My best friends Tom Dick and Harry enjoy my corny humor.
4. These are my best friends Tom Dick and Harry.
5. Here is why I like them they laugh at my jokes!  (Answers below)

Punctuation is not arbitrary! It makes sense because it makes a sentence flow. I have received a variety of interesting requests to address punctuation, especially the comma! What I want to present is a logical analysis of a sentence to show where punctuation fits— and where it does not. Here’s a practical tip: Listen to yourself. If you hear a pause, “feed it”—but, please, not always with a comma. 

Analyzing the Core Sentence
Instead of using grammatical language, let me begin with the simple idea of a Core: the essence of a sentence. When a set of words comprises a story—an actor and action; a subject and a predicate—we have a sentence. For example: John reads books. Sue reads slowly. The children are happy with their books.
Notice two features of these Core sentences:
1. As you read each basic Core sentence aloud, you do not pause; therefore, you have nothing to feed until the period.

2. At the end of a Core sentence, your voice falls. In contrast, here is a bunch of words where your voice would rise to indicate a lack of closure: After thinking about the problem for weeks and asking countless questions . . . . Clearly, this is not a story; in fact it is that awful monster, a fragment.

Punctuating Before the Core: the “Introductory ” 
It is quite appropriate to create a sentence with “attachments” to the Core. However, because the Core is the basic structure for meaning, any attachments must be indicated with punctuation!

Before the Core, a comma functions to convey the pause (as it did in this sentence). It may also serve to avoid temporary ambiguity, as in After I called Bill answered. (Actually, I did not call Bill—but that is what the sentence first seems to convey.)
After I called, Bill answered. (Now, the ambiguity is gone.)
Since the writer always knows what is intended and may not recognize an ambiguity, The Gregg Reference Manual suggests always using the introductory comma, even with very brief introductory elements. The Associated Press Stylebook disagrees and first wants the writer to first determine if there might be an ambiguity. But most of us don’t write for the press, so why not do it the easy way?

Punctuating Within the Core: “Inserts”
An insert is a group of words within the Core that provides useful information, but is not essential to the Core. An insert actually results in two audible breaks when read aloud and needs two pieces of matching punctuation to set it off: a pair of commas, a pair of parentheses, or a pair of em dashes.
1. My younger sister, who lives nearby, is a good friend.
2. Your book (in case you hadn’t noticed) is overdue.
3. Three very important people—my spouse, my best friend, and     my supervisor—will help me.
Some comments on my punctuation:
1. For the first sentence, a pair of commas works best because this is a simple insert, and there is no other internal punctuation. With an emphatic statement, I could also have used a pair of em dashes. (An em dash is two hyphens with no space on either side.)
2. For the second sentence, instead of a pair of parentheses, I could again have conveyed emphasis with a pair of em dashes. (Commas do not provide an adequate break here.)
3. For the third sentence, a pair of em dashes is necessary for two reasons: (a) Setting the series off with commas would create confusion because commas are already associated with the list. Tip: Never use commas at two levels at once.
(b) Parentheses convey material that is “parenthetical”—not so important. Clearly, that's actually contradictory here.

Further Explanation after the Core
Information after the Core has punch! Here’s what I mean: BAM! The end of the Core is a great place for a word or phrase, a series, or even an explanatory sentence. 

For a word or phrase following the Core, there are three punctuation options: a comma, a colon (my favorite), or an em dash.
 I have one important goal—survival! Compare that sentence with this one: Survival is my most important goal. (Clearly this second sentence lacks punch.)

For a series, there are only two punctuation options: a colon or an em dash. Using a comma to set off a series would truly be confusing. I like to think of the colon as a “Yoo hoo”: it is a clear signal that whatever follows the Core will point back to and elaborate on the Core itself. I really enjoy these three fruits: mangoes, passion fruit, and pineapple. An em dash also works here—if the statement is emphatic. 

For an explanatory sentence after the Core sentence, a colon serves best: It clearly conveys that the second Core explains the first. I have one request: please come early. An em dash here would convey emphasis, but otherwise, it looks too casual. Although a semicolon is grammatically correct between the two sentences, it fails to convey that the second Core explains the first, and thus a semicolon is not helpful here. (More in a later posting.) 

Answers: Remember, it is not enough to be right, you need to know why!

1. When I called, Jane came running. (an introductory to avoid ambiguity)
2. We moved to Liberty, Missouri, ten years ago. (an insert—hear the pause?)
3. My best friends—Tom, Dick, and Harry—enjoy my corny humor. (an insert)
4. These are my best friends: Tom, Dick, and Harry.     
    (an explanation after the Core)
5. Here is why I like them: they laugh at my jokes!
    (an explanation after the Core)