Semicolon Rules
Semicolons (;)
What does a semicolon do?
Separates two independent clauses within a sentence.
Independent clauses are complete thoughts that could stand on their own.
The two clauses must be related to one another.
Prevents sentences from becoming short and choppy.
Example:
Before:
I wrote a book. It is about the powerful ruler of a kingdom.
After:
I wrote a book; it is about the powerful ruler of a kingdom.
What do semicolons do?
separate two independent clauses
separate dependent clauses
separate dependent clauses and non-essential clauses