A semicolon is a punctuation mark that looks like this: ;. It is used in writing to connect two independent clauses—these are parts of a sentence that can stand alone as separate sentences but are closely related in meaning.
Connecting Independent Clauses: You can use a semicolon to link two related sentences without using a conjunction (like "and" or "but"). This shows that the two ideas are connected.
Separating Items in a Complex List: When you have a list of items that contain commas, use semicolons to separate the items for clarity.
Transition Words: You can also use a semicolon before transitional phrases (like "however," "therefore," or "for example") that connect two independent clauses.
In general usage, "semicolon" specifically refers to the punctuation mark and does not have other meanings. However, in programming or coding, a semicolon can also be used to terminate a statement.
There are no direct synonyms for "semicolon" in the context of punctuation, but you can think of it as a stronger pause than a comma but not as final as a period.
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "semicolon." However, understanding how to use semicolons can help you improve your writing style, making your sentences more sophisticated.
Try creating sentences using a semicolon by connecting two related independent clauses. Here’s a start: