1, about semicolons
First of all, the author leads everyone to understand what a semicolon is and why it is used.
Semicolon is essentially a symbol used to connect two independent sentences that are related to each other. Usually semicolons are added between two sentences, not between words and phrases.
A semicolon means that the pause time is longer than a comma, but it doesn't need to be placed at the end of the sentence like a period.
2. Rules for the use of semicolons
Rule 1: Only when two sentences can be connected with similar content or structure can a semicolon be used instead of a period. Rule 2: Punctuation marks can be used before adverbs such as "How" and "Where". Rule 3: Use semicolons to separate words or phrases in the list, not commas. Rule 4: Semicolons can be used to separate two independent clauses, rather than clauses connected by conjunctions such as and, but, or.
Step 3 understand semicolons
Different from colons, semicolons mainly separate independent clauses and the main components of long sentences. When the main components of a sentence are not connected by conjunctions, semicolons should be used. Note: these sentence elements must be independent clauses and should be able to convey meaning independently.
Please look at the following example:
Two thirds of the members of the Senate approved the financial bill. Others object.
In sentences like the above, the author often makes the mistake of using commas. However, inserting commas in this sentence will lead to "comma splicing" errors. If there is a conjunction between two sentences, you can connect them with commas.
Two-thirds of the people in the Senate are in favor of the financial bill, but others are against it.
In addition, when using inflection phrases or adverbs to connect two independent sentences, semicolons are also needed.
I am an intern in the accounting firm across the street; However, I never really learned much from this company. The president rarely participates in public security affairs; On the other hand, in some states, the sheriff is the appropriate institution to enforce the law.
Of course, the most common use of semicolons is to separate a series of items. Note: Enter semicolons only if the item contains internal punctuation. Other situations are mainly commas.
4. Special case of semicolon
The semicolon is between comma and period in intensity. Generally speaking, it is closer to a period than a comma. Semicolons are mainly used in the following three situations:
A connect two independent sentences.
We can use semicolons to separate two sentences with closely related topics or contents:
(1) Come to my office tomorrow; I'll get the papers ready.
(2) Few new students know exactly what career path their studies will eventually provide; Most people find their fields of interest during their study.
In this case, the second sentence does not start with a capital letter, unless it is a word that always starts with a capital letter.
B connecting adverb-guided connecting clauses, we can use semicolons before conjunctions.
Connectives that can use semicolons include:
In addition, in any case, in addition, therefore, however, by the way, indeed, however, the next, however, otherwise, similarly, still, then, therefore, therefore.
Specific examples are as follows:
The deadline for homework is tomorrow; Therefore, extra study time is arranged.
(4) Examination is a measure of ability; However, not everyone did well in it.
We can also use semicolons before connecting phrases.
The following phrases have such a connection function:
After all, in fact, the result, at the same time, even so, for example, in addition, in fact, in other words, first of all, of course, on the contrary, on the other hand.
Specific examples are as follows:
(5) Examination is a measure of ability; Therefore, not everyone does well in it.
(6) Critical thinking is essential in universities; It is also difficult to teach.
Connect components separated by commas.
If there is no semicolon, the relationship between these comma-separated components will be very vague and easy to cause confusion or misunderstanding. For example:
A university has many departments: liberal arts; Behavioral, cognitive and social sciences; Humanities; Environmental and rural science; Science and technology; Business, economics and public policy; Law; Education; And rural health care.
Some reference systems, such as Harvard, use semicolons to separate references in the text when citing multiple items.
(8) (Jones 2007; Johnson & Ohlofsson1998; Strong man and others, 2003)
During the holiday, we went to London, England; Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; And Rome, Italy.
Several places in the previous sentence are also separated by commas, indicating the subordinate relationship between large and small places, so if there is no semicolon to separate them, the relationship between places will be blurred.
5. Summary
Judging whether two clauses should use colons or semicolons may cause confusion and sometimes lead to writing mistakes. Learning and mastering the usage of colons and semicolons will help you write English academic papers well and let readers understand your papers better.