English - Semicolons

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Semicolons can:

• join two complete sentences.
• fix a comma splice.

Semicolons act like a period in some cases, like a comma in others.

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Period

When a semicolon joins two independent clauses, use it like a period:

• Mark found the new route easy; the other climbers were impressed.
• The balloon floated up to the ceiling; the baby cried.

Even though you can use semicolons like a period, you should use them sparingly, usually with an adverbial conjunction:

• The new law goes into effect today; therefore, you can no longer turn right on a red light between 4 and 6 p.m

Comma

You can also use semicolons in between items in a series when those items have commas.

• An unidentified flying object was spotted in Roswell, New Mexico; Amarillo, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Paducah, Kentucky.
• He disliked ice cream, cookies, and cake; horror movies, cherub statues, and violins; and sleeping, playing dominoes, and counting on his fingers.

Reference

• Crafting an Effective Writer: Tools of the Trade