Saving the Semicolon

Two principal dramas play out in the world of writing and editing: the fossilized Oxford-comma debate and the dubious semicolon debacle.

Can the semicolon help you in pursuing clarity? Or is its presence, to summarize Kurt Vonnegut, pedantic proof you went to college?

Some writers prefer the balance it provides; it’s not as soft as a comma and not as sharp as a period. Others reject it with the force of ten thousand embittered intelligentsia, suggesting it’s the writer’s version of drinking with your pinky finger out.

Instead of playing into the drama, let’s look at some of the where, when, and why with the semicolon. And you can make your own mind.

For starters, on the spectrum of punctuation purposes, where is the semicolon?

The semicolon dwells between the comma's pause and a period's full stop. It can carry the weight of connected clauses—something a comma shouldn't do often—while providing a sufficient pause without breaking a fulsome idea in two—something a period can’t do.

Think of the semicolon, then, as a “strong comma” and a “weak period.” Don't believe the lie that it's reserved for creative writing only. Think of the semicolon as the best of both writing worlds: it's utilitarian; it's lively.

The “Strong Comma”

Does the semicolon have a place in everyday writing?

Yes

Hasn’t the comma-period-em dash (—) team hammered the final nail into the semicolon’s coffin?

No

I’ll offer this here: a semicolon is rarely needed, per se. Unlike the comma and period, which are required in many instances, the semicolon doesn't fall under the category of "necessary."

But that doesn’t mean we rule it out or reach for it only when feeling a certain type of creative way.

The semicolon—as a “strong comma”—offers great resources for clarity.

First, you can use a semicolon to join two independent clauses (IDCs) that are highly related. No conjunction required.

Second, a semicolon can connect longer IDCs that have internal commas. This helps keep things clear and smooth for your reader.

• e.g.: This meeting includes Sally from marketing, Rebecca from HR, and Michael from communications, all from our Houston office, Greg from digital strategy, Max from outreach, and Emily from management, from the Cincinnati office.
• This meeting includes Sally from marketing, Rebecca from HR, and Michael from communications, all from our Houston office; Greg from digital strategy, Max from outreach, and Emily from management, from the Cincinnati office.

One less comma, a lot more clarity.

The “Weak Period”

Which of these three statements offer the sense that the two clauses are related and urgent?

1. An allergic reaction to this product can be fatal. Medical care is needed.

2. An allergic reaction to this product can be fatal, and medical care is needed.

3. An allergic reaction to this product can be fatal; medical care is needed.

Did you feel how the first two seem, at best, informative, and the third says, “If this happens, pick that phone up ASAP”?

That's because the semicolon can connect related independent clauses without breaking up the band like a period. In this way, a semicolon is a “weak period.” But don’t see “weak” as a bad thing. If anything, it's the semicolon’s unique strength.

• e.g.: The hurricane caused $3 million dollars in damage. The clean up is going to be grueling.
• The hurricane caused $3 million dollars in damage; the clean up is going to be grueling.

The semicolon can also improve word economy, helping you ditch words often used after periods to help readers see that the following thought is still related.

• e.g.: It’s best if two people work on this project. Although one person could do it, it requires a lot of time and energy to complete.
• It’s best if two people work on this project; it requires a lot of time and energy to complete.