Semicolons can be thought of as being very, very similar to periods. They should only be used when what falls on either side of it is a complete thought. Let's look at an example of this!
Today has the most beautiful weather; I spent the whole day outside.
Each part is a complete thought (with a subject and a verb). You could say "Today has the most beautiful weather." That is fine. Then, you could start a new sentence and say "I spent the whole day in the pool." That is also fine. Each of those could be sentences on their own. However, if you'd like to keep them "connected," you can use the semicolon (like you see above).
Now it's your turn. I'd like you to write 2 separate sentences. Then, write those same thoughts as one sentence where there is a semicolon as the punctuation between them.
I'll start!
Separate: My cat is so tired. He spent the whole day sleeping on the comfortable chair.
Combined: My cat is so tired; he spent the whole day sleeping on the comfortable chair.
13 comments:
Listening to rain is a form of relaxation. Everyone needs some form or type of relaxation technique.
Listening to rain is a form of relaxation; everyone needs some form or type of relaxation technique.
Listening to a harp, softly playing is soothing. It is harmonious to all.
Listening to a harp, softly playing is soothing; it is harmonious to all.
-Angel Aguerrazzi
Separate: Yesterday it rained all day. Today it was very sunny.
Combined: Yesterday it rained all day; today it was very sunny.
Maria C. Torres
Separate: The kids wanted to play. They played video games and later played at the park.
Combined: The kids wanted to play; they played video games and later played at the park.
Maria C. Torres
I washed my hair today.
I'd put it off long enough.
I washed my hair today; I'd put it off long enough.
Kathy had on a beautiful dress;the dress fit her well.
Kathy had on a beautiful dress. The dress fit her well.
Seperate: Today was a good day. My mom made me breakfast in bed.
Combined: Today was a good day; my mom made me breakfast in bed.
Kbyfield
My sister did not answer her phone when I called. She was taking another call
My sister did not answer her phone when I called; she was taking another call.
Deidra W.
My ankle is swollen and hurts. I decided to take a break from training.
My ankle is swollen and hurts: I decided to take a break from training.
Melissa Lobsinger
Today it was cold outside.
Tomorrow it will be cold outside.
Today it was cold outside; tomorrow it will be cold outside.
Shenea Walker
Seprate: The heel on my new shoes broke.I spent the whole afternoon looking for another pair that I like.
Combined: The heel on my new shoes broke; I spent the whole afternoon looking for another pair that i like.
Angela Richardson
My grandson was so tired after that trip; he spent the whole afternoon sleeping.
Mianta
Separate:
My mother needs to lose weight. She spent two hours a day on the gym.
Combined:
My mother needs to lose weight; she spent two hours a day on the gym.
Roxana Alvarez
March 02,2010
It was steaming hot yesterday. Today it is freezing cold.
It was steaming hot yesterday; today it is freezing cold!
Lia Muth
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