How to Use Semicolons: Rules and Examples

A semicolon ( ; ) is a type of punctuation used to join two closely related independent clauses — aka standalone sentences — without relying on a coordinating conjunction (like “and”“or”“but”).  It can also be used to separate items in a complex list (where commas alone could look messy) and link clauses with conjunctive adverbslike “however” or “in conclusion”.

A semicolon pauses longer than a commabut stops short of a periodmaking it a highly versatile tool for writers. Despite its usefulnesshoweverthe semicolon gives many people pause (no pun intended!).

According to a 2025 Babbel studysemicolons are falling out of fashion — in British English bookstheir frequency has dropped from once every 205 words in 2000 to once every 390 today. A survey of over 500,000 British students also showed that two-thirds rarely or never use semicolonsonly 11% called themselves “frequent users”and more than half struggled to use it correctly.

So if you hesitate before using this punctuationyou’re not alone. But in truthsemicolons aren’t that complicated. They follow a few clear rules that this guide will break down — complete with examples. After readingyou’ll know when to reach for this punctuation mark and when to leave it out!

Semicolons vs. colons: what’s the difference?

Semicolons (;) and colons (:) may look similarbut they serve distinct purposes in writing. Knowing when to use each is a key skill — whether you’re polishing academic work or aiming for professional writing.

The colon (:)

A colon is used to introduce or emphasize what follows. You’ll often see it:

1. Before a list or explanation.
   → The hero’s success depended on three things: courageskilland luck.

2. In dialogue formatting.
   → Reporter: What inspired your journey? 

3. In titles and subtitles.
   → The Hero’s Journey: An Age-Old Battle Against Evil.

A colon essentially bridges two closely related parts of a sentencewhere the second completes the first — that isone part doesn’t make sense without the other. 

Note that if the first word after the colon is a title or start of a full sentence (as in the dialogue example)then it should be capitalized. Otherwisethe word after the colon can remain lowercase (as in the list example).

The semicolon (;)

Meanwhilethe semicolon is part periodpart comma. Use it to:

1. Link related independent clauses.
   → I crave sunshine; I also crave gelato.

2. Replace coordinating conjunctions.
   → I finished my homework; my sister didn’t.

3. Separate complex lists.
   → ParisFrance; RomeItaly; and BarcelonaSpain.

4. Connect clauses with transitional phrases.
   → She’s beautiful; more importantlyshe’s brilliant. 

There are four fundamentals that explain when to use semicolonsand we’ll explore each one below. And for even more examples of semicolons vs. colons vs. commas as wellyou can jump to the table at the end of this post

Semicolons can…

1. Link independent clauses

One of the main jobs of a semicolon is to connect two independent clauses — sentences that could stand on their ownbut have some kind of relationship. In other wordssemicolons connect independent yet interdependent ideas! 

What exactly is an independent clause?

An independent clause is a complete sentence with a subject and a verband it expresses a full thought/action. It can be short (“I smiled”) or longer (“I smiled at the woman across the street”)but it must be grammatically capable of standing alone.

A dependent clauseby contrastcan’t stand alone. Add a word like “when” — as in “When I smiled” — and suddenly you’ve got a dependent clause: an incomplete thought that’s merely a sentence fragment on its own.

In shortyou can link two independent clauses using a semicolonbut dependent clauses will need a different connector.

More examples of semicolons linking independent clauses

• I smiled; I was happy to see her.

• Maria loves the beach; she craves sunsandand surf.

• The man was confused; he had never seen a robot dog before.

• Not all who wander are lost; some just want to see where life takes them.

In all of these caseseach clause (on either side of the semicolon) is a complete sentence. Howeverthey’re all still related to each other. In every example herethe second sentence makes sense on its own while also building on the first one. This is how semicolons can connect ideasor add explanation or evidence without breaking the narrative flow.

Pro tip: Another easy way to identify independent clauses (and whether they could be linked by a semicolon) is to test whether they make sense with a period. Consider the following:

“I smiled. I was happy to see her.”

This makes grammatical sense! So you can go ahead and put a semicolon between these independent clauses if you want to.

2. Replace coordinating conjunctions

Semicolons can also be effective replacements for coordinating conjunctions — the “glue” words that link independent clauses. These conjunctions like andbutorsoyetfor, and nor usually signal causalitycontrastor relation between ideas.

But if the context already makes the connection obviousyou can safely drop the conjunction and use a semicolon instead. Take a look at the example below to see how this works.

With conjunction: I saw your sister in town yesterdaybut she didn’t notice me.

With semicolon: I saw your sister in town yesterday; she didn’t notice me.

Herethe contrast between “seeing” and “not being noticed” is already clearso the semicolon smoothly replaces but. This kind of semicolon usage is especially common in factual works like academic essays and nonfiction books — these works usually prioritize clarityso they can use semicolons without confusing readers.

Pro tip: Remember that you cannot use both a semicolon and a conjunction in the same spot. “I saw your sister in town yesterday; but she didn’t notice me” would be incorrect.

Or let the reader fill in the blanks

All that saidthe exception to the “total clarity” rule is if you’re being intentionally ambiguous for creative reasons. In this contexta semicolon strategically placed between two independent clauses can invite interpretation.

For example:

Spring came early this year; tears kept filling my eyes.

Does the narrator feel sadness because of springdespite itor for some other reason entirely? Maybe spring triggers painful memories and grief — or maybe it’s just allergies! By replacing a conjunction with a semicolon herethe writer lets the reader decide how these phrases relate.

3. Separate complex lists

Once againyou wouldn’t normally pair a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction like “and” or “but”. The exception is when it improves readability — especially in longcomplex lists that would otherwise be full of commas.

Example of a list with semicolons

I had several things to do before Maya’s partythe most important of which were picking up the cake at the bakery; blowing up the balloons and arranging them around the house; and wrapping her presentsincluding a fancy new set of long-stemmed wine glasses.

Notice the final “and” before “wrapping her presents”? Hereit’s clarifying the listrather than linking the clauses — so we do need the coordinating conjunction. Relatedlyusing colons wouldn’t work heresince the semicolons are only demarcating entities and making the sentence easier for readers to scan.

Semicolons can also help when linking independent clauses that are already packed with commas:

My brother is very clumsy. He often stumbles over rootsbreaks thingsand won’t look where he’s going; nor will he consider other people’s feelings when he speaks.

Herethe semicolon + conjunction (“nor”) keeps the sentence clear.

4. Combine with conjunctive adverbs

Lastlysemicolons can also step in when you want to connect two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb (aka a transitional phrase). These words — like howevermoreover, or therefore — guide readers through your reasoning and are especially commonplace in essaysargumentsor rhetorical writing.

Here’s how it works:

Conjunctive adverb / transitional phrase	Sample sentence
Moreover	The hike was exhausting; moreoverthe sudden rain made it even harder.
However	Grace went to the grocery store; howevershe came back empty-handed.
Nevertheless	Katy always had the best of intentions; neverthelessshe often ended up causing drama.
Also	I love reading; alsoI love watching Netflix.
Consequently	He was a careful planner; consequentlyhe had a solution for every situation.
Likewise	Tony was very superstitious; likewiseMaria always crossed the street when she saw a black cat.
By contrast	Paul dreamed of becoming a surgeon; by contrastSara dreamed of owning a sandwich shop.
In addition	For ChristmasBilly wished for a new toy car; in additionhe wanted the latest Avengers action figures.
In fact	I never believed in fairy tales; in factI always thought they were nonsense.
As a result	Max liked to gamble; as a resulthe lost all his savings.

Pro tip: Don’t use a comma between two independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb — that’s a comma splice:

❌ Max liked to gambleas a resulthe lost all his savings.

Using a semicolon instead keeps the ideas closely linkedwithout the choppiness of a full stop. If you’re unsure about catching these minute details yourselfa professional proofreader can help polish your writing!

Use semicolons when needednot to look smart

Now that you know the main rules for semicolonshere’s the golden one: just because you can use a semicolondoesn’t mean you should. Semicolons are a tool for claritynot decoration. They shine in academic writing and nonfiction — pieces in which authors often need to connect independent clauses or insert conjunctive adverbs without creating run-on sentences.

That saidsemicolons also have a reputation for making text feel cluttered. Particularly in creative writingoverusing them can come across as self-conscious or heavy-handed. If a simple period or em dash (notorious in 2025we know!) communicates the same idea with more elegancego for that instead.

Rememberthe purpose of punctuation is readability and rhythm — but which one you prioritize might depend on context. Compare these to get a better idea:

With semicolons	Without semicolons
Hye-jin is a big foodie. She loves the comfortingspicysweetumami flavors of her favorite Korean dishes from home; elegantthough hard to masterclassic French cuisine; andmore than anythingcreative and experimental fusion food at restaurants that combine the best of both worlds.	Hye-jin is a big foodie. She loves the comforting Korean dishes from homewith their spicysweetumami flavors. At the same timeshe enjoys elegantclassic French cuisineeven though it’s hard to master. But more than anythingshe loves the creativeexperimental fusion food at restaurants that combine the best of both worlds.

Both of these options are technically correct. The first version might work well in a more “poetic” piece about culture and cuisinewith many consecutive phrases and semicolons creating a sort of artistic flow to the passage. The second exampleon the other handscans as “simpler” phrasing — but perhaps reads more clearly as a result. There’s no definitive “right” version; it just depends on what effect you’re going for!

Check out the table below to know exactly which punctuation can come to your aid when you’re writing or revising a draft.

More examples: Colon vs. semicolon vs. comma

Punctuation mark	Purpose	Examples
Colon (:)	A colon introduces or emphasizes a listexplanationor definition. A colon can also connect the title and subtitle of a bookarticleor similar.	She had one goal: to finish the marathon. Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino
Semicolon (;)	A semicolon links two independent but related clauses; separates items in complex lists; pairs with conjunctive adverbs.	I have a test tomorrow; howeverI still went out. I’m visiting LondonEngland; BerlinGermany; and AthensGreece.
Comma (,)	A comma separates items in a simple list or sets off dependent clauses. Commas are mostly used with conjunctions.	I bought applesorangesand bananas. When I am happyI smile.

It’s easy to get bogged down in grammar and forget that most writing is meant to clearly convey what you are saying. Sometimesthe semicolon can help you achieve that; when it doesn’tyou might need to look at the sentence from a new angle. Happy writing!