Semicolons MRS. ANDERSON Using Semicolons Semicolons help you connect closely related ideas when a style mark stronger than a comma is needed. By using semicolons effectively, you can make your writing sound more sophisticated. The Dreaded Comma Splice Many students make the mistake of using a comma splice. If you know how to use a semicolon, you will never make that mistake again! Example: I like iced coffee, it is my favorite coffeehouse drink. THIS. IS. BAD!!! The Culprit I like iced coffee, it is my favorite coffeehouse drink. That bad boy in the circle is called a comma splice this occurs when you join two independent clauses with a comma. Whats an Independent Clause Again? Clause : Subject and verb working together. Example: bus moves Independent clause : A clause that can stand alone as a sentence. Example: The bus moves. The Culprit The bus moves, it runs well. That bad boy in the circle is called a comma splice this occurs when you join two independent clauses with a comma. How to Correct it with a Semicolon The bus moves; it runs well. That bad boy in the circle is called a semicolon; it makes the sentence correct! (See what I did there?)