1) INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are similar in thought but are not joined by a coordinating conjunction and, but, or, nor, for, or, yet.
Example:
- The house stood empty for years; no one would buy it.
- The river raged through the gorge; her small tent was swept away in its path.
2) JOINED BY LINKING ADVERB
When two independent clauses are joined by a linking adverb such as accordingly, however, therefore, or thus, use a semicolon at the end of the first clause. The linking adverb is usually followed by a comma or set off by commas if it falls within the second clause.
Example:
- The turtle survived its two-story fall; however, we can get back to business on Monday.
- Margaret told me not to stay in a motel; she suggested, instead, that I stay at her house.
3) CLAUSES WITH INTERNAL PUNCTUATION
A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses if one or both of the clauses contain internal punctuation. The clauses may or may not be joined by conjunctions or linking adverbs.
Example:
- I own a quarter horse, a saddle horse, and a burro; they stay on the lower range in winter.
- Walter, the one with the allergies, read his story in class; and everyone thought it was excellent.
- The dark, dusty street looked deserted; but I could hear someone walking slowly behind me.
4) SERIES
Use semicolons to separate items in a series if the items contain internal punctuation.
Example:
- The speakers included Jeff Hines, vice president; Alberta Corazon, director of finances; Edward Singh, human resources; and Nancy Meripol, assistant to the president.
- We ordered five cartons of micro-perf paper; six lined, medium-sized stationery pads; and nine boxes of assorted pens, pencils, and markers.
