Semicolons

Semicolons (;) are an underused punctuation mark in fiction. Monotonous strings of sentences can be broken up by the intelligent use of a semicolon. Instead of writing a string of short sentences, try to combine two with related (or contrasting) meaning with a semicolon.

We couldn't find our way home through the blizzard. We had to eat Mom's prize parrot.

We couldn't find our way home through the blizzard; we had to eat Mom's prize parrot.

A semicolon is a strange mixture between a colon and a comma; it offers a compromise between the restrictive break of a colon (which denotes a close connection between the phrases or clauses it separates) and the tenuous connection of a comma.

Remember the cardinal rule of all grammar used in fiction:

If you are writing a sentence so complicated that it requires complex punctuation or structuring, rewrite the sentence. Do not look up grammar or punctuation rules; write naturally.

Follow these guidelines when using semicolons:

• Use a semicolon between clauses if you leave out the conjunction.
• Use a semicolon instead of a comma to combine sentences.
• Use a semicolon in lists that would not be clear with only commas.
• Use a semicolon to separate clauses with words like therefore, hence, however, and also.

Use a semicolon between clauses if you leave out the conjunction.

In this way, you can combine two sentences with a semicolon without the conjunction. The only requirement is that the two sentences be related.

We could not open the door in time. The thieves stole everything from the store.

We could not open the door in time, and the thieves stole everything from the store.

We could not open the door in time; the thieves stole everything from the store.

Use a semicolon instead of a comma to combine sentences.

The dreaded comma splice--the bane of English teachers everywhere--can be circumvented with a semicolon:

Incorrect: Tom thought the wedding was a farce, he rolled his eyes during his vows.

Correct: Tom thought the wedding was a farce; he rolled his eyes during his vows.

Use a semicolon in lists that would not be clear with only commas.

If you are writing a sentence that is a list of lists, use a semicolon to separate sections containing commas:

The most famous atheletes in our college's sorry history are Jason, Ed, and Scott in rugby, Tom, Ray, and Mac in lacrosse, and Mark, Chris, and Norman in baseball.

It's hard to tell there what is to be separated from what.

The most famous atheletes in our college's sorry history are Jason, Ed, and Scott in rugby; Tom, Ray, and Mac in lacrosse; and Mark, Chris, and Norman in baseball.

Of course, such sentences appear infrequently. In fiction, it is a clunky way to express yourself. In non-fiction, you're better off with a bulleted list.

Use a semicolon to separate clauses with words like therefore, hence, however, and also.

This rule is related to the first rule, except that the first word of the second sentence you're joining happens to be a word like therefore.

We were out of ammunition; hence, the only recourse was to fend off the aliens with fists, angry words, and body odor.