Page 42 - TARGET YOUR PUNCTUATION

Target 10: Semi-colons Double point target

There are two main uses for semi-colons.

The First Use of Semi-colons

Semi-colons are used to connect two or more ideas that

go together into one sentence.

Driving conditions were bad. The roads were very icy.

We could join these two ideas together with words like because, as or since
(e.g. Driving conditions were bad because the roads were very icy).

However, we can also join the ideas together with a semi-colon. This can

make the sentence more dramatic or stronger and adds variety to your
writing.

Driving conditions were bad; the roads were very icy.

Semi-colons can also join together two contrasting ideas.

Some of the team played well. Some of the team played badly.

We could join these ideas together with words like but or and. Using a
semi-colon instead will emphasize the point.

Some of the team played well; some of the team played badly.

NOTE:

 Semi-colons are not used a great deal, but sometimes are useful
to make sentences stronger.
 Do not use a full stop after the semi-colon.

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