Semicolons

1. Semicolons ACT Prep

2. Comma Review Which is the correct sentence? • Grammar Girl knowing she was spreading good grammar throughout the universe, couldn’t help but be happy. • Grammar Girl, knowing she was spreading good grammar, throughout the universe, couldn’t help but be happy. • Grammar Girl, knowing she was spreading good grammar throughout the universe couldn’t help but he happy. • Grammar Girl, knowing she was spreading good grammar throughout the universe, couldn’t help but be happy.

3. Answer…. #4

4. Semicolons: The True Sentence Splicers • Semicolons separate things or bring them together, depending on how you see the world. • If you have two separate sentences that are closely related to each other, you can use the semicolon to unite them in one big happy sentence. • Or, you can see semicolons as separating two main clauses that are closely related to each other but can stand on their own as sentences if you wanted them to.

5. Examples • It was below zero. Squiggly wondered if he would freeze to death. or… • It was below zero; Squiggly wondered if he would freeze to death.

6. Semicolon “Splicers” I think of semicolons as sentence splicers; they splice sentences together. Although splicesounds as though it means to separate or cut apart, it actually means “to unite”

7. Why Use Semicolons? • One reason you may choose to use a semicolon instead of a period is that you want to add variety to your sentence structure. For example, if you thought you had too many short, choppy sentences in a row, you could add variety by using a semicolon to string together two main clauses into one longer sentence.

8. Why Use Semicolons? • When you use a semicolon, the two main clauses should be closely related. You wouldn’t write “It was below zero; Josh had pizza for dinner”, because those two main clauses have nothing to do with each other. In fact, the other reason to use a semicolon instead of a period is to draw attention to the relationship between two clauses.

9. Semicolon Use #1 • Use a semicolon between related independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS). Examples: • A mature male gorilla may be six feet tall and weight 400 pounds or more; his enormous arms can span eight feet. • New York has twelve major stadiums; Los Angeles has fifteen.

10. You Try… • Modify the following sentences to incorporate a semicolon • It was below zero. Jessica wondered if she would freeze to death. Answer: It was below zero; Jessica wondered if she would freeze to death.

11. Semicolon Use #2 • Use a semicolon between independent clause joined by a conjunctive adverb. • Frequently, two independent clauses are joined, not by coordinating conjunctions, but by a transition word (conjunctive adverb) introducing the second clause. A semicolon must be used between the clauses, because these transitional words (according, also, consequently, finally, furthermore, however, indeed, meanwhile, nevertheless, similarly, thus, and the like) are not connecting words Example: • A female coyote will not bear pups if her diet consists of fewer than fifty rodents a week; thus, Mother Nature achieves a population balance.

12. You Try… • Fix the following sentences: • James is on vacation therefore, Justin has to do extra work on the project. • Sam doesn’t mind doing the extra work however, he would like to be thanked. Answers: James is on vacation; therefore, Justin has to do extra work on the project Sam doesn’t mind doing the extra work; however, he would like to be thanked.

13. Semicolon Use #3 • Use a semicolon to separate coordinate clauses if the clauses themselves have commas. Example: • The warranty on the car covered extensive repairs to the electrical system, front end, transmission, fuel injection system, and valves; but the amount of time and inconvenience involved in returning each time to the dealer cannot be ignored.

14. You try… • Place the semicolon in the correct position: • Wading through the river, Jessica wondered whether Justin, the young boy who couldn’t swim, would enjoy fishing, but when she tripped over a rock, nearly knocking herself out, she forgot about Justin. Answer: Wading through the river, Jessica wondered whether Justin, the young boy who couldn’t swim, would enjoy fishing; but when she tripped over a rock, nearly knocking herself out, she forgot about Justin.

15. Semicolon Use #4 • Use a semicolon to separate items in a series when the items themselves contain internal punctuation. • Normally, three or more items in a series are set off by commas; however, when they are made more complex by commas and other punctuation, they are separated by semicolons. Example: • The trio was composed of a cellist name Grosz, who had been a European virtuoso for many years; a pianist who had won a major music festival in 1954, 1955, and 1958; and a violinist who had studied in Budapest, Vienna, and Munich.

16. You try… • Herbie likes oysters more than clams, hotdogs more than hamburgers, and mustard more than ketchup, Matt likes fries more than potato chips, root beer more than cola, and cookies more than ice cream, and Jan likes cake more than cupcakes, pizza more than spaghetti, and milk shakes more than soda. Hint: you need to take out two commas and replace them with semicolons! Answer: Herbielikes oysters more than clams, hotdogs more than hamburgers, and mustard more than ketchup; Matt likes fries more than potato chips, root beer more than cola, and cookies more than ice cream; and Jan likes cake more than cupcakes, pizza more than spaghetti, and milk shakes more than soda.

17. Avoiding the Semicolon • When the semicolon separates a subordinate clause or a phrase from a main clause. (The semicolon is not used to separate clauses and phrases from a main clause.) Example: • Faulty: Many forms of wildlife are becoming extinct; because of the encroachment of humans on the animals’ territory and habitat. • Revised: Many forms of wildlife are becoming extinct because of the encroachment of humans on the animals’ territory and habitat.

18. Avoiding the Semicolon • When the semicolon introduces a series or explanation. (Colons and dashes, not semicolons, are used to introduce series and explanations.) Example: • Faulty: Sue and Matt quickly stowed the supplies they needed into the canoe; the sleeping bags, four large jugs of water, spare boots and socks, and enough food to last them three days. • Revised: Sue and Matt quickly stowed the supplies they needed into the canoe—the sleeping bags, four large jugs of water, spare boots and socks, and enough food to last them three days.

19. Pop Quiz Choose the correct Sentence • Ralph crossed the finish line first, and won the race. • Ralph crossed the finish line first; and he won the race. • Ralph crossed the finish line first; Joe lost the race. • Ralph crossed the finish line first, Joe lost the race.

20. Answer…. #3