General Rules:

  • Semicolons are used to create a separation of thought or information. The separation is greater than with a comma but less than with a period.
  • Keep the use of semicolons to a minimum.
  • Semicolons are one of the exceptions to placement with quotation marks. Place semicolons outside quotation marks.


Between Independent Clauses


Rule: Semicolons link two related independent clauses when a coordinating conjunction is not used. The second independent clause is not capitalized unless it starts with a proper noun.

  • Example: Her gift was supposed to arrive last Friday; it arrived this Monday.


Exception: Even with a coordinating conjunction, use a semicolon to separate independent clauses that have extensive internal punctuation. The best practice, however, is to break the two independent clauses into two sentences.

  • Example: The dancers took one final bow, hurried off the stage in a flurry of movement, and rushed back to their dressing rooms; but even with their quick retreat, they were unlikely to make it on time for the beginning of the party.


Followed by a Number


Rule: When a number immediately follows a semicolon, use figures if the numeral rule calls for them. Unlike with sentences, it’s okay to start the second independent clause with a number within a sentence containing a semicolon.

  • Example: Most of the dancers were late; 30 out of 35 of them arrived at least 10 minutes late.


In a Series


Rule: Use semicolons to clarify a series only when absolutely necessary. When the elements in a series are very long or when elements contain other material that must be offset by commas, use semicolons in place of commas.

  • Example: She is survived by a daughter, Jane Doe, of New York City; two sons, John Doe, of Flint, Mich., and Joe Does, of Boston; and a brother, Ken, of Madison, Wis.


Exception: Reconstructing the sentence when possible to minimize the punctuation is always the best choice.