An independent clause is a clause that has a subject and verb and forms a complete thought. An example of a compound sentence is, 'This house is too expensive, and that house is too small. What are some examples of semicolons? Here's an example: I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
The two clauses in that sentence are separated by a semicolon and could be sentences on their own if you put a period between them instead: I have a big test tomorrow. How do you use commas and semicolons? Rule: Use the semicolon if you have two independent clauses connected without a conjunction.
Example: I have painted the house; I still need to sand the floors. Rule: Also use the semicolon when you already have commas within a sentence for smaller separations, and you need the semicolon to show bigger separations.
When to use a colon or a semicolon? Simply put, the colon is used to provide a pause before introducing related information, while the semicolon is just a break in a sentence that is stronger than a comma but not as final as a full stop. Where do you use a colon or a semicolon? Colons : are used in sentences to show that something is following, like a quotation, example, or list. Semicolons ; are used to join two independent clauses, or two complete thoughts that could stand alone as complete sentences.
Which sentence uses the colon correctly? Kelly was very excited: about the rock concert her friend won tickets for on the radio. She spent four days trying to put together the perfect outfit.
In the end, she settled for something simple: a black tee, ripped jeans, and a headband. Can you use a colon in an essay? You can use a colon to connect two sentences when the second sentence summarizes, sharpens, or explains the first. Both sentences should be complete, and their content should be very closely related.
Note that if you use colons this way too often, it can break up the flow of your writing. I saw a magnificent albatross; it was eating a mouse. You need a comma plus something to avoid a comma splice. That something can either be the right conjunction or the period that turns a comma into a semicolon. If semicolons can link independent clauses that would otherwise have a period or a conjunction between them, that means they can demonstrate contrast, too.
To summarize, a semicolon links up two related ideas by narrowing the gap between the ideas of two separate sentences or by replacing a conjunction between two related ideas. You can use semicolons to divide the items of a list if the items are long or contain internal punctuation. In these cases, the semicolon helps readers keep track of the divisions between the items.
My plan included taking him to a nice—though not necessarily expensive—dinner; going to the park to look at the stars, which, by the way, are amazing this time of year; and serenading him with my accordion.
Yup, that was one now. When you have a conjunctive adverb linking two independent clauses, you should use a semicolon. Some common conjunctive adverbs include moreover, nevertheless, however, otherwise, therefore, then, finally, likewise, and consequently. I needed to go for a walk and get some fresh air; also, I needed to buy milk.
These words sometimes show up in other parts of a sentence; therefore, the semicolon rule only applies if it helps the conjunctive adverb join two independent clauses. See what we did there? Incorrect: The cow is brown, it is also old. Correct: The cow is brown; it is also old. Both parts of the sentence are independent clauses, and commas should not be used to connect independent clauses if there is no coordinating conjunction.
This mistake is known as a comma splice. Incorrect: I like cows, however, I hate the way they smell. Correct: I like cows; however, I hate the way they smell.
The conjunctive adverb however signals a connection between two independent clauses, and commas should not be used to connect independent clauses if there is no coordinating conjunction.
Incorrect: I like cows: they give us milk, which tastes good, they give us beef, which also tastes good, and they give us leather, which is used for shoes and coats.
Correct: I like cows: they give us milk, which tastes good; they give us beef, which also tastes good; and they give us leather, which is used for shoes and coats. Incorrect: Cows, though their bovine majesty has been on the wane in recent millennia, are still one of the great species of this planet, domesticated, yet proud, they ruminate silently as we humans pass tumultuously by.
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