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Teacher Tips and Answers

Page 486

Semicolon

A semicolon is a cross between a period and a comma. It sometimes serves as a stopping point (a period), and other times, as a pause (a comma).

486.1 To Join Two Independent Clauses

A semicolon is used to join two independent clauses that are not connected with a coordinating conjunction. (Independent clauses can stand alone as separate sentences.)

I’ll admit it; I’m a bit of a gear-headed gadget freak.

See 528.4 for an explanation and examples of independent clauses.

486.2 To Set Off Two Independent Clauses

Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses if they are long or if they already contain commas.

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