Semi-colons

Yesterday, we started looking at semi-colons. We were looking at using them in two different ways.

1. To separate phrases in a 'long-phrase list'

2. To separate two, closely related, independent clauses

Let's have a look at using them in log-phrase lists first.

When we write a list we usually use commas. 

Hafsah looked in the cupboard to find the ingredients to make the cake. She had many ingredients including flour, sugar, eggs, food colouring and vanilla extract.

When we write a long-phrase list we add extra information and use a colon to introduce the list, and semi-colons to separate the phrases.

Hafsah looked in the cupboard to find the ingredients to make the cake. She had many ingredients: flour to make the cake rise; sugar to make it sweet; eggs to help mix the ingredients; food colouring to change the colour and vanilla extract to make it taste delicious.

Now let's look at using them to separate independent clauses.

When we use semi-colons to separate independent clause, we can think of two simple sentences joined with a conjunction. When we remove the conjunction, the two parts must make sense by themselves (2 main clauses).

Example

The climber held the rope as tightly as he could until it began to slip through his fingers.

Take out the conjunction (until) and the clauses still make sense by themselves.

The climber held the rope as tightly as he could. It began to slip through his fingers.

Join these related main (independent) clauses with a semi-colon. 

The climber held the rope as tightly as he could; it began to slip through his fingers.

You can also use a dash to do this!

The climber held the rope as tightly as he could - it began to slip through his fingers.

Activity 2

Have a go at writing two sentences that use semi-colons to separate phrases in a long-phrase list.