Welcome to Professor Pam's Home Page 

THE SEMICOLON

Between Independent Clauses

Unless the independent clauses of a compound or compound-complex sentence are joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor), use a semicolon to separate them.  An independent clause is one that could stand alone by itself as a sentence. 

Mr. Harmon is the defendant; Mr. Jasinski is the plaintiff.

 

For the first quarter of last year, our sales were $56,350; we believe sales will be significantly better for the first quarter of this year.

When the dependent clauses are joined by accordingly, however, therefore, nevertheless, or some other conjunctive adverb, use a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it.

Both of the doors were securely locked; however, one of the windows was open.

 

If the independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction and one or more of the clauses contain internal commas, use a semicolon before the conjunction if necessary to prevent misreading.  Otherwise, use a comma before the conjunction.

I invited Charles and Barbara Hagner, Kenneth and Carla Sheehan, and Olga Davik; and Charlotte Stewart invited seven or eight others. (A semicolon is used before and because a comma might cause misreading.)

 

BUT:  Mrs. Lawford wishes that she were able to meet with you on Tuesday, May 24, but she has a speaking engagement scheduled for that date. (A comma is used before but because no misreading is likely.)

In A Series 

When one or more items in a series are punctuated with commas, use semicolons between the items in the series.

Mr. Seaver will be in San Antonio, Texas; Boise, Idaho; and Memphis, Tennessee, next week.

 

The present officers are Hillary Quarles, president; Ricardo DaSilva, secretary; and Mertie Houston, treasurer.

Before Namely, That Is, or a Similar Expression 

Use a semicolon before and a comma after namely, that is, for example, or a similar expression used to introduce explanatory words, phrases, or clauses appearing as afterthoughts at the end of a sentence.

Our firm has constructed shopping malls in a number of cities; for example, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Los Angeles.

If the explanatory expression occurs within a sentence, however, use a comma before and after the introductory expression and after the explanation itself unless the explanation is punctuated with commas.  If the explanation is punctuated with commas, use dashes or parentheses to set off the entire explanation, including the introductory word or phrase.

Some abbreviations, for example, a.m. and c.o.d., occur frequently in business correspondence.

Contractions-for example, I’m, they’ve, and you’ll-may be too informal in some situations.

Or:  Contractions (for example, I’m, they’ve, and you’ll) may be too informal in some situations.

If the expression introduces an appositive, however, use a comma before and after it and after the appositive itself.

©Division of Business, Economics & Mathematics, WVUP, 2011.  Updated 06/05/2012 .  Division Chair:  Steve.Morgan@mail.wvu.edu ;Business Division Office:  Lauriel.Edwards@mail.wvu.edu
Web Page Contact:  pam.braden@mail.wvu.edu West Virginia University at Parkersburg