leafleafleafMan illustrationFlower illustration
Updated on 2023-09-19
Typographic and editorial rules

Semicolon [;]

Estimated reading: 1 minute

Semicolon is used to mark a break that is stronger than a comma but not as final as a full stop

 

Use semicolon between two clauses that balance each other and are too closely linked to be made into separate sentences [see example 1]

 

Use a semicolon as a stronger division in a sentence that already contains commas [see example 2]

Examples1

1

The road runs through a beautiful wooded valley; the railway line follows it.

2

The study showed the following: 76% of surveyed firms monitor employee web-surfing activities, with 65% blocking access to unauthorized internet locations; 57% monitor employee telephone behaviour, including the inappropriate use of voicemail.

Share

Semicolon [;]

Or copy link