1.1.2.- The semicolon

Collaborative Warm-up Exercise about the Use of Commas

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/comma-quiz/?gclid=CjwKCAiAuaKfBhBtEiwAht6H7wqUSOfJYqdCPdCRXykznECapS6LU1HN4ubE_G4iH7RIJfH2xu7IbRoCVs0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds


What punctuation mark is it?


 

The semicolon

 

Brainstorming about what coordinating conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases we know.

 

What coordinating conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases do you know?

 

Coordinating conjunctions

Conjunctive adverbs

Transitional phrases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is a semicolon?

 

Semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark which consists of a period stacked on top of a comma.

 

The uses of semicolon

 

1.- To connect related independent clauses

 

An independent clause is a sentence that communicates a complete thought and makes sense on its own, e.g., 'I ordered another coffee; caffeine always puts me in a better mood.'

 

2.- To delete a conjunction between two independent clauses

 

Additionally to a semicolon to link two independent clauses, coordinating conjunctions (such as and, but and or) can do so. However, it mustn’t be used a semicolon and a conjunction which means that a semicolon is used instead of and, but and or. Hence, it is correct to say 'I saw a magnificent albatross, and it was eating a mouse.' or 'I saw a magnificent albatross; it was eating a mouse.'

 

3.- With a conjunctive adverb or transitional phrase. 


Conjunctive adverbs include words like 'moreover,' 'nevertheless,' 'however,' 'therefore,' and 'finally.' Transitional phrases or expressions include 'such as,' 'in fact,' and 'as a result.' Semicolons can precede conjunctive adverbs and transitional expressions so long as they're joining two independent clauses, e.g., 'The employees were encouraged to eat their lunch in the break room; however, John ate at his desk to catch up on some work.' or 'Tyler finished all the math problems in thirty minutes; as a result, he got to leave class early.'

 

4.- To separate items in a list


This comes in handy when the list items are lengthy or contain internal punctuation. Sometimes this use of a semicolon is referred to as a 'super-comma' for its powerful ability to separate sentences. When using semicolons like this, be mindful of capitalization. Unless the first word of the following clause is a proper noun, you can keep the words following semicolons lowercase, e.g., 'We traveled to New York, New York; Paris, France; Vienna, Austria; Venice, Italy; and Berlin, Germany.' or 'The menu featured cocktails with tequila, vodka, or whiskey; entrees centered around meat, seafood, or vegetables; and two desserts, which we could order with or without ice cream.'

 

Sources:

 

Crowd Content Media (2023) Types of Conjunctions on https://www.crowdcontent.com/resources/writer/university/grammar/types-of-conjunctions/#:~:text=1.-,Coordinating%20Conjunctions,nouns%2C%20and%20clauses%20with%20clauses. (Searched on February the 12th, 2023)

 

Grammarly (2023) 5 Ways to Use a Semicolon on  https://www.grammarly.com/blog/semicolon/?gclid=CjwKCAiAuaKfBhBtEiwAht6H71SfQsHW5FLEH_PQXr4UYgw0UXHtLio4ECkXJ8A7qP5W_TC5LxrTQxoC_jAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds (Searched on February the 12th, 2023)

 

Masterclass (2021) Semicolons Explained: 3 Ways to Use a Semicolon on https://www.masterclass.com/articles/when-to-use-a-semicolon (Searched on February the 12th, 2023)



Collaborative online exercise about the use of semicolon

https://translatorstudio.co.uk/semicolon-quiz/


Individual online exercise about the use of semicolon

https://www.grammar-monster.com/tests/test_semicolons_general_use.htm


Last Update by Dark Prince in 2024

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