| Exemplary Prose: |
| Essential Writing Skills in Context |
Use semicolons to set off independent clauses; apply rules for
semi-colon use; use semi-colons correctly with coordinating conjunctions.
Understanding how the semi-colon works will do you well in the writing portion of the HSGQE. Correctly placed semicolons impress readers and demonstrate a grasp of the written language that will be rewarded with higher test scores. The wonderful thing about semicolons is that they are relatively easy to learn.
Here are the 4 rules you should memorize:
1. Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are too closely related to be written as separate sentences.
It is with narrow-souled people as with narrow-necked bottles; the less they have in them, the more noise they make in pouring out. Alexender Pope
2. Use a semicolon to separate a series of phrases that already contain commas.
The meeting was attended by Lloyd Harrison, chairman of the board; Evelyn White, chief delegate of the consumer groups; William Blake, representing the press; and Preston Tracy, speaking for the shareholders.
3. Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are long or contain commas.
Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark; you know what you are doing, but nobody else does. S. Britt
4. Use a semicolon preceding explanatory phrases introduced by words such as for example, that is, or namely when you want a stronger break than a comma would provide.
Secretaries have many unpopular assignments; for example, making coffee.
Below is an example of semicolon use from the practice test of the writing section of the HSGQE. Try it and see how you do.
Directions: Read the passage and
look at the numbered, underlined parts.
Which answer below should replace the underlined passage above?
A) rivers: however;
B) rivers, however
C) rivers; however,
D) Correct as it is
Click here to find the answer, along with a brief explanation.
The correct answer is C. There are a couple of rules at work here. First, the sentence is a compound sentence; therefore, it must be separated by a comma and a conjunction (", but"), a period (". That"), or a semi-colon (as in the example). Second, "however" is a transition and must be followed by a comma.