Use Your Punctuation: Semicolons

            At some point, you have probably been told—most likely by your mother— “Use your words!” That person knows that words are a huge part of communication. The different nuances of each word allow us to express ourselves very specifically. The same is true in writing, but words are not the whole story. You need to use your punctuation! We can do so much more if we go beyond the basic comma and period. To help you make better use of your punctuation, I would like to introduce you to my beloved punctuation mark: the semicolon.

            The semicolon is most easily described as a cross between a colon and a comma in both appearance and function. A semicolon, generally speaking, indicates a pause in a sentence that is more pronounced than a comma. Because of this, semicolons spend most of their time somewhere in the middle of a long or complex sentence. If you read classic literature, you are most likely very familiar with semicolon usage. Past authors made great use of semicolons. Some even used the punctuation mark to string clauses together so much that a single page could only fit a few sentences.

            You probably don’t want to use semicolons that much, but they can still improve your writing. There are three ways you can use semicolons in a sentence. The first is by placing a semicolon between two independent clauses. It can take the place of the comma next to the conjunction or both comma and conjunction. Semicolons tend to create a more pronounced pause than a comma which means they can stand alone without the conjunction if necessary.

Another way you can use semicolons is to reduce the confusion that comes with long lists that include many commas. If commas occur within the items of the list, semicolons can prove especially handy in separating the items instead of using commas. They also create that greater pause which can be useful when list items verge on the side of long phrases. The semicolon’s goal is to bring clarity to your writing.

A final way you can use the semicolon is in combination with adverbs to connect clauses. This is one usage I used to practice a lot until my college professors started to complain; therefore, I don’t do it as often anymore. The semicolon works when the adverb acts as a conjunction between the clauses. The structure is usually an adverb preceded by the semicolon and followed by a comma. If the adverb appears elsewhere within the clause, it only needs two commas. The exception is at the beginning of the sentence where an adverb would need one comma to follow it.

            Semicolons are an often-overlooked tool in an author’s toolbox. They can boost your writing by helping you to communicate with stronger pauses, fewer commas, and more complex sentence structure. Don’t let the idea of complexity scare you. The semicolon helps guide the reader and prevent confusion. Try using some semicolons in your writing and see how they can make you a more effective communicator.