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. I can't go out tonight. Semicolons Create Variety One reason you might choose to use a semicolon instead of a period is if you wanted to add variety to your sentence structure; for example, you might use a semicolon if you thought you had too many short, choppy sentences in a row.
Semicolons Emphasize Relatedness Another reason to use a semicolon is to draw attention to how related your two clauses are. The semicolon in our example sentence highlights that the reason you can't go out tonight is that you have a big test tomorrow. I can't think of a single reason why English being fifth period would mean you can't go out tonight.
If you want to use a coordinating conjunction, you'd write it like this: I have a big test tomorrow, so I can't go out tonight. Nevertheless, there are a couple of instances where it's OK to use a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction. Semicolons Can Join Complex Clauses with a Coordinating Conjunction First, if you have a long sentence with multiple independent clauses, and some of those clauses contain internal punctuation such as a comma , you can use a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction to make the separation between clauses more clear.
Here's an example: If you want me to go out tonight, you need to help me with my homework first; and if you say no, I'll know that you don't really care about going out. You could make them two sentences, but you don't have to; and because they are so closely related, it makes a lot of sense to have them be together separated by the semicolon.
Semicolons Can Separate Items in a Complex List The second instance in which it's OK to use a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction also occurs when you have an excess of commas: it's when you need to separate list elements that contain commas themselves.
Because each item in the list requires a comma to separate the city from the state, you have to use a semicolon to separate the items themselves. A semicolon is used to bring two independent clauses together. Simply put, an independent clause also called a main clause is a standalone sentence. It expresses a complete thought and contains a subject and predicate. This is true for correct semicolon usage too. However, when using a semicolon, the part after the punctuation mark also needs to be able to function as a standalone sentence.
A semicolon is used to bring two related sentences together to accentuate their connectedness. In the example below, you can see that a full stop also called a period is separating the two sentences:. With the full stop above, the example reads like two unrelated ideas.
However, in the following example, the semicolon creates a relationship between the two ideas:. Two independent clauses as in the example above should only be joined with a semicolon to create a complex sentence.
Using a comma instead is a grammatical error referred to as a comma splice. This is an example of a comma splice:. Use a semicolon instead of a comma to separate the items. Since each of the elements in the list in the sentence above is complicated and has commas, it is difficult to figure out where one element ends and the next begins.
Using semicolons between the lengthy elements helps the reader understand the separation, as shown in the example below:. Take Quiz. Toggle Main Navigation Main Navigation. Topics Grammar Punctuation Organization Style. Glossary Useful Links References.
Effective Writing Practices Tutorial Punctuation Semicolon Semicolon Semicolons join ideas that are related and equal in grammatical structure. Incorrect: This assignment is extra credit only; but we still need to hand it in.
Correcting the Problem Even though the two clauses in the sentence above are related, we cannot use a semicolon there because the clauses are joined by the coordinating conjunction but. Rule to Remember Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses in place of a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
Correct: This assignment is extra credit only, but we still need to hand it in. Correct: This assignment is extra credit only; however, we still need to hand it in.
Semicolons with independent clauses Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses in place of a comma and a coordinating conjunction and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet. Correct: John finished all his homework, but Kathleen did not finish hers. You can replace the comma and coordinating conjunction with a semicolon since the connection between the two independent clauses is clear without the coordinating conjunction Correct: John finished all his homework; Kathleen did not finish hers.
Incorrect: Although Nate is a kind employee; that new guy is not. Rule to Remember Use a semicolon between related sentences when the second sentence starts with either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression.
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