Semicolons

Rules for Using Semicolons

Use a semicolon to separate related independent clauses or sentences when they aren’t joined by a conjunction.

Example

The traffic was terrible; almost everyone got to work late.

Use a semicolon to list multiple independent clauses with the same structure and the same verb when you'd rather avoid restating the verb.

Example

My brother prefers soda; my sister, orange juice; and my parents, iced tea.