The semi-colon indicates a stronger division than a comma, but a weaker one than a full stop.
Semi-Colon with Enumerations
Semi-Colon between Main Clauses
Semi-Colon with Enumerations
- Use a semi-colon in enumerations if a comma is already used to further separate an item of the sequence.
- Example: We have business partners in Edmonton, Canada; Waterford, Ireland; Brisbane, Australia; and Durban, South Africa.
Semi-Colon between Main Clauses
- Use a semi-colon between two main clauses if they are not separated by and, or etc.
- Example: The rain stopped; the sun came out again.
- Use a semi-colon between two main clauses with conjunctions (e.g. and, or) if a comma is used in at least one of the main clauses.
- Example: James had, to put it mildly, a lot of problems; and not even his best friend could help him.
- Use a semi-colon between two main clauses if the second one starts with an adverb that has to be enclosed in commas (e.g. however, in fact, therefore, nevertheless, moreover, furthermore, still, instead).
- Example: He didn't feel well; in fact, he had a very high temperature.