home » the mechanics of style »
Semicolons indicate a more definite break in thought than commas but are not as strong as colons. Generally, semicolons are used to separate two independent clauses when they are long and/or when one of the clauses has internal punctuation.
To separate coordinate clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction.
I came; I saw; I conquered.
To separate the elements in a complex series, i.e., elements containing internal punctuation.
The tomatoes wilted; the beans, which had been planted early, died in August; and the peppers, a late variety, bore no fruit.
Between the items in a complex or lengthy enumeration or if there are serial commas in at least one item listed.
Several questions remain unresolved: 1) whether caffeine is an important factor in arrhythmogenesis; 2) whether it can trigger arrhytmias de novo; and 3) whether this tendency is enhanced by the presence and extent of myocardial impairment.
Place the semicolon outside closing quotation marks or superior footnote number.
Before the coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, yet, nor) in a compound sentence if the clauses do not contain internal commas. Use a comma instead.
In a simple series enummeration with little or no internal punctuation. Use commas instead.
Photomicrographs of the gross and microscopic features of normal skin, lentigines, and malignant melanoma demonstrated the complexity of pigmented lesions.
home » the mechanics of style »
last edited 07/23/03