SemicolonsSemicolonsSemicolonsSemicolons;;

Examples from Frederick DouglassExamples from Frederick Douglass

“You have seen how a man was made a slave; you

shall see how a slave was made a man” (465).

“About three o’clock that day, I broke down; my

strength failed me” (465).

“You have seen how a man was made a slave; you

shall see how a slave was made a man” (465).

“About three o’clock that day, I broke down; my

strength failed me” (465).

When to use semicolonsWhen to use semicolons

Use semicolons between complete sentences (independent clauses) that are closely related in thought.

“You have seen how a man was made a slave; you

shall see how a slave was made a man” (465).

“About three o’clock that day, I broke down; my

strength failed me” (465).

Use semicolons between complete sentences (independent clauses) that are closely related in thought.

“You have seen how a man was made a slave; you

shall see how a slave was made a man” (465).

“About three o’clock that day, I broke down; my

strength failed me” (465).

When to use semicolonsWhen to use semicolons

Normally, do not use a semicolon if the two complete sentences are joined by the conjunctions and, but, for, nor, or, so or yet.

Instead, use a comma before the conjunction.

“You have seen how a man was made a slave, and

you shall see how a slave was made a man” (465).

Normally, do not use a semicolon if the two complete sentences are joined by the conjunctions and, but, for, nor, or, so or yet.

Instead, use a comma before the conjunction.

“You have seen how a man was made a slave, and

you shall see how a slave was made a man” (465).

Another example from DouglassAnother example from Douglass

“I was made exceedingly feeble by the kicks and

blows which I had received; however, I watched my

chance, while Covey was looking in the other

direction, and started for St. Michael’s” (465).

“I was made exceedingly feeble by the kicks and

blows which I had received; however, I watched my

chance, while Covey was looking in the other

direction, and started for St. Michael’s” (465).

When to use semicolonsWhen to use semicolons

Use a semicolon between complete thoughts (independent clauses) joined by a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression.

“I was made exceedingly feeble by the kicks and

blows which I had received; however, I watched my

chance, while Covey was looking in the other

direction, and started for St. Michael’s” (465).

Use a semicolon between complete thoughts (independent clauses) joined by a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression.

“I was made exceedingly feeble by the kicks and

blows which I had received; however, I watched my

chance, while Covey was looking in the other

direction, and started for St. Michael’s” (465).

Some other times to use semicolonsSome other times to use semicolons

You may need to use a semicolon before FANBOYS if the independent clauses being joined contain commas (see slide 4).

“The work was simple, requiring strength rather than intellect; yet, to one entirely unused to such work, it came very hard” (465).

You may need to use a semicolon before FANBOYS if the independent clauses being joined contain commas (see slide 4).

“The work was simple, requiring strength rather than intellect; yet, to one entirely unused to such work, it came very hard” (465).

Some other times to use semicolonsSome other times to use semicolons

You may need to use a semicolon before FANBOYS if the independent clauses being joined contain commas.

“While I was in the act of throwing down some blades from the loft, Mr. Covey entered the stable with a long rope; and just as I was half out of the loft, he caught hold of my legs, and was about tying me” (468).

You may need to use a semicolon before FANBOYS if the independent clauses being joined contain commas.

“While I was in the act of throwing down some blades from the loft, Mr. Covey entered the stable with a long rope; and just as I was half out of the loft, he caught hold of my legs, and was about tying me” (468).

Some other times to use semicolonsSome other times to use semicolons

Use semicolon between items in a list if the items contain commas.

UNCLEAR: I have visited Rome, Georgia, Cairo, Illinois, and Paris, Texas.

Use semicolon between items in a list if the items contain commas.

UNCLEAR: I have visited Rome, Georgia, Cairo, Illinois, and Paris, Texas.

Some other times to use semicolonsSome other times to use semicolons

• Use semicolon between items in a list if the items contain commas.

• CLEAR: I have visited Rome, Georgia; Cairo, Illinois; and Paris, Texas.

• Use semicolon between items in a list if the items contain commas.

• CLEAR: I have visited Rome, Georgia; Cairo, Illinois; and Paris, Texas.