Writers use the semicolon as follows:

• Between two independent clauses that are closely related. (Usually the relationship is one of opposition with the semicolon acting like a fulcrum on a seesaw.)

A beauty is a woman you notice; a charmer is one who notices you.  Adlai Stevenson

• With conjunctive adverbs when the conjunctive adverb joins two independent clauses.

Jasper was inordinately proud of his house plants; however, his wife actually cared for them.

• To separate groups of items in a series when all items in the list are not equally related--when for lists embedded in lists.

Robyn's alarming taste in color reveals itself in his paint selections: the bedroom is avocado; the living room is a strange combination of teal, fuchsia, and puce; and the kitchen is CalTrans orange.

• For a mental rest stop before coordinating conjunctions (Tracy's least-favorite rule):

Finally, at the very end of the concert, the trio performed a Charles Ives piece with unforgettable delicacy; but by that time, most of the audience had left.

• Clause: a group of closely related words containing a subject and a finite verb.
  • Independent Clause: a clause that makes sense as a sentence in itself.
    • Susan loves her English class.
  • Dependent Clause: an independent clause plus a subordinating conjunction.
    • although she is nervous about her first paper
• Subordinating Conjunctions: after as, although, as if, as long as, because, before, even if, even though, if, if only, in order that, now that, once, provided, rather than, since, so that, than, that, though, 'till, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, whether, while
• Coordinating Conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (remember "fanboys")
• Conjunctive Adverbs: consequently, furthermore, however, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, then, therefore, thus, furthermore, similarly, etc.

Updated: 08.18.07