Semicolon

Main Clauses

You can use a semicolon instead of a full stop between two main clauses when:

• the second clause restates the first
  

  Example:

  There was a flood in April last year; it rained non stop for two weeks.

• the meaning of the two clauses is connected
  

  Example:

  My sister has three children; the children all have brown hair.

• instead of using a conjunction (and, because, so etc.) to separate the clauses
  

  Example:

  The rain stopped; the sun came out.

Use a semicolon between two main clauses which are separated with a conjunction (and, or, but etc.) when a comma is used in one or both of the main clauses.

Example:

James had, to put it mildly, a lot of problems; and even his best friend couldn’t help him.

At work, we often eat breakfast together; and sometimes we also drink champagne.

Use a semicolon between two independent clauses when the second one starts with a conjunctive adverb (e.g. however, therefore, nevertheless, moreover, furthermore, still, instead, otherwise, thus) or a transitional words and phrases (on the other hand, in addition, in other words, for example etc).

Example:

He didn’t feel well; in fact, he had a very high temperature.

Darcy doesn’t normally eat sweets; however, he makes an exception on his birthday.

I didn’t know Lisa was pregnant; otherwise, I would have said congratulations.

Brush up on the use of commas in main clause in the writing school section of the website.