Semicolon vs colon

What Is a Semicolon?

The semicolon is the colon's quirkier sibling. While the colon is simply two dots stacked : the semicolon is a dot hovering over a comma ;

The semicolon does jobs that are also done by other punctuation marks, but puts its own spin on the task.

Like a comma, it can separate elements in a series. Like a period or colon, it often marks the end of a complete clause (that is, a sentence part that has its own subject and verb). And like a colon, it signals that what follows it is closely related to what comes before it.

Semicolons Separate Independent Clauses

A semicolon separates related independent clauses that are joined without a coordinating conjunction, such as and:

Mabel the Cat had made a big pot of goulash; it was simmering on the stove.

Goulash was Harry the Dog's favorite; the scent drew him to the kitchen.

A semicolon can also replace a comma between two clauses that are joined by a coordinating conjunction like and in cases where the sentence might otherwise

how to use the semi colon in english writing

semicolon uses