From Edie: Confused about semicolons? Learn how to use a semicolon correctly with simple rules and examples—and discover why this punctuation mark still matters for writers today.
.jpg)
How to Use a Semicolon Correctly: A Simple Guide for Writers (and Why It Still Matters)
By Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites
It’s endangered; it might possibly disappear altogether in the next handful of years.
Do you know what “it” is?
It’s the punctuation mark that can’t really decide what it wants to be. It’s not a complete colon: it’s just half of one.
How do you feel about the semi-colon? I rather like this particular punctuation mark. But it seems to be dying a slow, agonizing death. Much like the Oxford comma, that someone decided to stop using in a list of threes; and the mark that caused divisiveness between newspapers and magazines, between publishing house and publishing house, and even between brothers from the same mother, the semi-colon disappearance seems to be a slowe demise, though not as contentiously fought over as the Oxford comma. (I’m team Oxford comma all the way!).
Oh, what should we do with you, confused punctuation mark …
The semicolon first made an appearance back in 1494 when an Italian printer, Aldus Manutius, paired a comma and a colon to mark a pause that was longer than a comma, but shorter than a colon. The idea didn’t catch on quickly … unlike the “no two spaces” after a period revolution when computers became prominent and typewriters became almost-obsolete.
According to an article on The Writing Center website, semicolons are used in this fashion:
- connecting closely-related independent clauses.
- with conjunctive adverbs like however, moreover, therefore, or nevertheless but only when they connect two independent clauses.
- to separate items in a list that contain commas to bring about clarity
Apparently, former President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, appreciated the value of the semi-colon. He reportedly said, “I have a great respect for the semicolon; it’s a very useful little chap.” Famous novelist Kurt Vonnegut, however, said of the semi-colon: “All they do is show you’ve been to college.”
The use of the semi-colon has been in decline for the last 20 years. Some scholars blame this on the fact that younger generation students don’t know how to use it.
If you’re team-semi-colon and plan to continue using the mixed-up punctuation mark—it just doesn’t really know what it wants to be when it grows up—make sure you use it correctly.
Here’s some examples of correctly-used semi-colons:
The chef made a big pot of tomato basil soup; it was simmering on the stove.
The chef didn’t take kindly to assistance in the kitchen; indeed, he became quite flustered with the sudden appearance of additional starched-white uniforms.
The famous chef had previously prepared delectable dishes in Jacksonville, Florida; Oceanside, California; Poulsbo, Washington, and Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.
Semi-colon or no semi-colon—that is the question.
It seems the longtime punctuation mark may go the way of the dodo bird, whether we like it or not. No amount of protesting or fandom will sway the powers that be. But if you choose to continue using the hybrid punctuation mark, make sure you use it correctly; don’t provide any additional fodder for its extinction.
What do you think? Are you team semi-colon?
TWEETABLE
I don't use them in fiction because they seem to be out of style right now, like adverbs. But I don't think it's helpful to banish parts of speech or punctuation.
ReplyDeleteI'm team semi-colon and Oxford comma. They clarify all writing, including poetry.
ReplyDeleteI've been told to avoid the semi-colon in fiction.
ReplyDelete