Semicolons
A semicolon is used to join to simple sentences together the sentence can be more detailed.
When to use a semicolon:
- Between independent clauses that aren’t united by coordinating conjunctions.
- Example: Alyssa said she would come over; she forgot about her commitment.
- Between independent clauses that aren’t united by a conjunctive verb.
- Example: Alyssa said she would come over; however, she forgot about her commitment.
- Between items in a series that have internal punctuation.
- Example: Dwane Johnson, the actor from The Game Plan; Ryan Reynolds, the actor that portraits Wade Wilson in Deadpool; and Gal Gadot, the actress that plays Wonder Woman, have been on tour promoting their new movie Red Notice.
- Between simple sentences that have internal punctuation—even if the sentences are
joined by coordinating conjunctions.
- Example: Researchers completed the painstaking, drawn out, and gruesomely long study; and were beyond thrilled to share the results.
