=43. Compound Sentences
A semicolon is used in compound sentences to
separate independent clauses that have no connective between. The
semicolon in such constructions, however, is fast disappearing from
newspaper columns. Complex constructions are avoided. Usage favors
making a separate sentence of the second clause.
=Right
Brown came first; Johnson followed five
seconds later, with Jones third.
=Permissible
The murder was committed sometime
before 12:00 o'clock; at 8:00 this morning the
murderer was in jail.
=Better
The murder was committed sometime before
12:00 o'clock. At 8:00 this morning the murderer was
in jail.
=44. Lists
In lists of dead, injured, guests, etc., where the name of
the town from which the persons come or the place of residence is given,
separate the different names by semicolons.
=Right
Among those present were: Allen Rogers of
Las Vegas, N. M.; Orren Thomas of Benton, Mo.; Mr.
and Mrs. Henry Barnes of Sioux City, Ia.
=45. Athletic Results
In football, baseball, and similar athletic
results, use a semicolon to separate the names of the teams and their
scores: as, Cornell, 21; Syracuse, 14.
=46. Instead of Commas
A semicolon may be used instead of a comma
when a clause or sentence is so broken up by commas as to need some
other mark of punctuation to keep the larger phrase- and
clause-relations clear.
Next: The Comma
Previous: The Colon
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