huge impact. In this sense, it is the punctuation mark best suited for creative writers.
The semicolon is a powerful tool in the writer's arsenal. It is probably the most elegant of all forms of punctuation (it has been dubbed "a compliment from the writer to the reader"), and can offer an excellent solution to balancing sentence length and rhythm. Yet it is often overlooked by writers today. So in this chapter we'll focus on how—and why—to use it. We'll learn what we gain from its presence, and what we lose when we don't invite it to the symphony of punctuation.
HOW TO USE IT
The first thing to realize is that one could always make a case for not using a semicolon. As an unnecessary form of punctuation, as the luxury item in the store, we must ask ourselves: why use it at all?
We use the semicolon for the same reason we trade cement floors for marble: cement floors are equally functional but not as elegant, not as aesthetically pleasing as marble. The semicolon elevates punctuation from the utilitarian (from punctuation that works) to the luxurious (to punctuation that transcends). Business memos do not need semicolons; creative writers do.
The semicolon's functions are all essentially creative, and are connected with a writer's sensibility. Some ways to use it:
• To connect two closely related sentences. Sometimes two (or more) sentences are so closely related that you won't want the separation of a period, yet they are also so independent that they need stronger separation than a comma can offer. Consider:
He ran with his shirt over his head. He had forgotten his umbrella once again.
Grammatically, the above is correct. Yet these two thoughts are so closely linked that they don't feel quite right standing on their own. A comma won't do, since they are each complete sentences:
He ran with his shirt over his head, he had forgotten his umbrella once again.
Thus, we need the semicolon:
He ran with his shirt over his head; he had forgotten his umbrella once again.
The semicolon lends an appropriate feeling of connection, while allowing each clause its independence. It functions in a position where both the period and comma cannot. Notice how, by connecting these two sentences with a semicolon, each sentence helps explain the other. "He ran with his shirt over his head" is technically complete and correct, yet is somewhat cryptic on its own. The subsequent sentence brings it to life. Another example:
The wind knocked over two trees on my block alone. The cleanup would be atrocious.
Once again a comma won't do, as these clauses are too independent:
The wind knocked over two trees on my block alone, the cleanup would be atrocious.
Thus, the semicolon:
The wind knocked over two trees on my block alone; the cleanup would be atrocious.
You'll notice that the first example is grammatically acceptable. Yet adding a semicolon extends the thought, and allows a richer overall sentence.
• Stylistically, in a paragraph plagued by short sentences, a semicolon can smooth out the choppiness. Commas serve a similar function, yet sometimes a semicolon is more appropriate, especially if you want clauses to be connected yet independent. Semicolons can allow shorter, complete thoughts without the choppiness of a period. Consider:
She wasn't going to support him anymore. It was time for him to get a job. He'd never leave the house otherwise. He'd loaf forever if he could. He was born that way. It was thanks to his father. It had taken her twenty years to get rid of him. She wouldn't go through that again. The son had two years. After that, the locks were changed.
All these short sentences give this paragraph a staccato, childlike feel. If we add a semicolon or two, though, the problem is solved:
She wasn't going to support him anymore. It was time for him to get a job. He'd never leave the house otherwise; he'd loaf forever if he could. He was born that way. It was thanks to his father. It had taken her twenty years to
The semicolon is a powerful tool in the writer's arsenal. It is probably the most elegant of all forms of punctuation (it has been dubbed "a compliment from the writer to the reader"), and can offer an excellent solution to balancing sentence length and rhythm. Yet it is often overlooked by writers today. So in this chapter we'll focus on how—and why—to use it. We'll learn what we gain from its presence, and what we lose when we don't invite it to the symphony of punctuation.
HOW TO USE IT
The first thing to realize is that one could always make a case for not using a semicolon. As an unnecessary form of punctuation, as the luxury item in the store, we must ask ourselves: why use it at all?
We use the semicolon for the same reason we trade cement floors for marble: cement floors are equally functional but not as elegant, not as aesthetically pleasing as marble. The semicolon elevates punctuation from the utilitarian (from punctuation that works) to the luxurious (to punctuation that transcends). Business memos do not need semicolons; creative writers do.
The semicolon's functions are all essentially creative, and are connected with a writer's sensibility. Some ways to use it:
• To connect two closely related sentences. Sometimes two (or more) sentences are so closely related that you won't want the separation of a period, yet they are also so independent that they need stronger separation than a comma can offer. Consider:
He ran with his shirt over his head. He had forgotten his umbrella once again.
Grammatically, the above is correct. Yet these two thoughts are so closely linked that they don't feel quite right standing on their own. A comma won't do, since they are each complete sentences:
He ran with his shirt over his head, he had forgotten his umbrella once again.
Thus, we need the semicolon:
He ran with his shirt over his head; he had forgotten his umbrella once again.
The semicolon lends an appropriate feeling of connection, while allowing each clause its independence. It functions in a position where both the period and comma cannot. Notice how, by connecting these two sentences with a semicolon, each sentence helps explain the other. "He ran with his shirt over his head" is technically complete and correct, yet is somewhat cryptic on its own. The subsequent sentence brings it to life. Another example:
The wind knocked over two trees on my block alone. The cleanup would be atrocious.
Once again a comma won't do, as these clauses are too independent:
The wind knocked over two trees on my block alone, the cleanup would be atrocious.
Thus, the semicolon:
The wind knocked over two trees on my block alone; the cleanup would be atrocious.
You'll notice that the first example is grammatically acceptable. Yet adding a semicolon extends the thought, and allows a richer overall sentence.
• Stylistically, in a paragraph plagued by short sentences, a semicolon can smooth out the choppiness. Commas serve a similar function, yet sometimes a semicolon is more appropriate, especially if you want clauses to be connected yet independent. Semicolons can allow shorter, complete thoughts without the choppiness of a period. Consider:
She wasn't going to support him anymore. It was time for him to get a job. He'd never leave the house otherwise. He'd loaf forever if he could. He was born that way. It was thanks to his father. It had taken her twenty years to get rid of him. She wouldn't go through that again. The son had two years. After that, the locks were changed.
All these short sentences give this paragraph a staccato, childlike feel. If we add a semicolon or two, though, the problem is solved:
She wasn't going to support him anymore. It was time for him to get a job. He'd never leave the house otherwise; he'd loaf forever if he could. He was born that way. It was thanks to his father. It had taken her twenty years to
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