Q&A for How to Use a Semicolon

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  • Question
    How do you use a semicolon in an example?
    Tristen Bonacci, MEd
    Tristen Bonacci, MEd
    English Teacher
    Tristen Bonacci is an English Teacher with more than 20 years of experience. Tristen has taught in both the United States and overseas. She specializes in teaching in a secondary education environment and sharing wisdom with others, no matter the environment. Tristen holds a BA in English Literature from The University of Colorado and an MEd from The University of Phoenix.
    Tristen Bonacci, MEd
    Tristen Bonacci, MEd
    English Teacher
    Expert Answer
    An example of a semicolon in a sentence could be "I love bananas; I love apples." This uses parallel construction—in other words, you have the same thing on both sides of the semicolon (a subject and a verb).
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  • Question
    Can you use a semicolon instead of ", but"?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can use a semicolon followed by "however,". A semicolon alone would not provide the indication that you are about to contrast something with what you just said, and you need to provide that indication.
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    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 21
  • Question
    What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?
    Donagan
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Hyphens connect words to each other. Dashes are used to add emphasis or indicate a pause in thought.
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  • Question
    Can I properly use semicolons to link more than two independent clauses in one sentence?
    Donagan
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, you can link three or more such clauses together.
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  • Question
    Is this correct? "Oh, passing pedestrian; projection of my own persona - be free from your lonely coma!"
    Donagan
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Use a comma instead of that semicolon. A semicolon implies a stronger pause than you meant there.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 7
  • Question
    Can "for example" be used behind a semicolon?
    Donagan
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, although more typically "for example" follows a period/full stop.
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  • Question
    Is this correct? "Our solar system includes 8 planets; comets; asteroids; dwarf planets; moons; artificial satellites; dust; ice; and rocks."
    Donagan
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Use commas there instead of semicolons because of the simplicity of the list. Use semicolons in lists that contain other punctuation or items that are more complicated.
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    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 9
  • Question
    What about to combine a question/desire? "What's a good time for me to call her in the evenings; without interfering with dinner, homework, and bath; yet still reach her before bedtime?" Corrections?
    Sofia rosario
    Sofia rosario
    Community Answer
    Those don't really need any semicolons so the semicolons should not be placed; you should add commas there instead.
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