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Semicolon
01
the punctuation mark ; used to separate the items in a list or to indicate a pause between two main clauses in a compound sentence
What is a "semicolon"?
A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark used to connect closely related ideas or to separate items in a complex list. It functions as a stronger pause than a comma but not as final as a period. For example, in the sentence "I have a big test tomorrow; I cannot go out tonight," the semicolon links two related statements, indicating a relationship between them. Semicolons are also useful in lists where items contain commas, such as "On our trip, we visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Berlin, Germany." By providing clarity and structure, semicolons enhance the flow of written language.
Example
The semicolon is a versatile punctuation mark: it can link independent clauses and organize detailed lists.
When writing academic papers, a semicolon is often used to link ideas that are related but could stand as separate sentences.
The teacher pointed the essay with semicolons and colons to organize the ideas logically.
To avoid run-on sentences, you should punctuate with periods, commas, and semicolons where appropriate.
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