semicolon

[ sem-i-koh-luhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the punctuation mark (;) used to indicate a major division in a sentence where a more distinct separation is felt between clauses or items on a list than is indicated by a comma, as between the two clauses of a compound sentence.

semicolon

/ ˌsɛmɪˈkəʊlən /

the punctuation mark ( ; ) used to indicate a pause intermediate in value or length between that of a comma and that of a full stop

semicolon

A punctuation mark (;) used to join two independent clauses in a sentence. The semicolon shows that the ideas in the two clauses are related: “Jack really didn't mind being left without a car; he had the house to himself.”

First recorded in 1635–45; semi- + colon ¹

I point out the phrase “more distinct separation,” and I suggest that the purpose of the semicolon is at least in part rhythmic.

The new material contains a semicolon; it has orders to call me if anybody gives it any trouble.

The semicolon is used in enumerations, as in the last example, in order to keep the parts more distinctly separate.

The colon is used to indicate pauses more abrupt than those indicated by the semicolon.

A pause generally indicated by a comma may be indicated by a semicolon when commas are used in the sentence for other purposes.

If the conjunction "and" were inserted in the last sentence, the comma would be used instead of the semicolon.

Of course, this rule must be qualified by the rules for the stronger points, especially by those for the semicolon and the colon.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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