Semicolon Rule #1

•Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are closely related in thought and that are not joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)▫Everyone else in my family excels in a

particular sport; I seem to be the only exception.

▫The river is rising rapidly; and it is expected to crest by noon.

YES!

NO!

Semicolon Rule #2•Use a semicolon between independent

clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression.▫Elsa is planning to become an engineer;

however, she is also interested in graphic design.

▫Only two people registered for the pottery lesson, as a result, the class was cancelled.

YES!

NO!Commonly Used Conjunctive Adverbs

Accordingly Furthermore

Meanwhile Otherwise

Also However Moreover Still

Besides Indeed Nevertheless

Then

Consequently

Instead Next Therefore

Semicolon Rule #3

•You may need to use a semicolon (rather than a comma) before a coordinating conjunction to join independent clauses that contain commas.▫Belle sat with Ariel, Tarzan, and me, and

Sneezy sat with Gaston, Tiana, and Hercules.

▫Belle sat with Ariel, Tarzan, and me; and Sneezy sat with Gaston, Tiana, and Hercules.

NO!

YES!

Semicolon Rule #4

•Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas.▫In 2000, the three largest metropolitan

areas in the United States were New York, New York, Los Angeles, California, and Chicago, Illinois.

▫In 2000, the three largest metropolitan areas in the United States were New York, New York; Los Angeles, California; and Chicago, Illinois.

NO!

YES!

Semicolon Usage - Practice

1. Valley;2. Years;3. Carving;4. Life;5. Valley;6. Distinctive;7. Craftsmanship;8. Cholula;9. Peoples;10.Conquest;

Semicolon Usage Homework #11. Reputation;2. II;3. Home;4. Britain;5. Rain;6. Americans;7. Japan;8. Dinner;9. Mammal;10.Shakes;

•When you finish your classwork, turn it in. •Pick up a copy of the “Farewell to

Baseball” speech by Lou Gehrig and begin reading it and answering the questions on the back. You may write on the handout.

Semicolon Usage Classwork #1

1. Fundraising; services;2. C3. C4. 25; 26;5. Massachusetts; California;6. Trombone; saxophone;7. But;8. Fountains;9. C10.Republic; Hungary; Romania;

Semicolon Usage Homework #21. Saturday; week;2. Now;3. Beggars;4. Delight; recipe;5. Fund;6. Pines;7. Act;8. Nearby; Chicago;9. Grade;10.Band;

Semicolon Usage Classwork #2

1. Sound;2. C3. Bow; pick;4. Saxophone;5. Pitch;6. Pitch;7. Instruments;8. Years;9. Music;10.England; Mexico; Massachusetts

Semicolon Usage Homework #31. C2. Theater;3. Tennis;4. C5. Hockey;6. Book; play;7. C8. There;9. Picnic;10.C