The most feared punctuation on earth

It seems as we get older or busier our lives become rushed. We have little time for ourselves and others. We are rushing from one place to another or from one thing to another.This type of pace also affects how we speak and write. There are times we have so much to write and we find ourselves using run-on sentences. So what could one use to help organize our writing so our sentences are clear, understood, and grammatically correct? A semicolon. We are familiar with what an independent clause and dependent clause are and what conjunctions are but do we know what a semicolon is and how do we use it? Well, the following is a primer on what a semicolon is and how to use it.

A semicolon looks like a comma and a period put together. The period is on top of the comma so it looks like this


 The semicolon is sometimes used in place of a period; other times, it works like a comma.

When to use a semicolon:

1) To join two independent clauses
Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses when there is no coordinating conjunction between them.
Ex. 
My aunt has a new motorboat; I wish I were big enough to drive it.
She takes me fishing in it; however, I still don't get to drive it.

 2) To separate groups of words that contain commas
Use a semicolon to separate a series of phrases that already contain commas.
Ex.
We crossed the stream; unpacked our lunches, cameras, and journals; and finally took time to rest.
*note - The second phrase contains commas.

Vocabulary

Pace - (noun) a rate of movement, especially in stepping, walking, etc. (verb) to set the pace for, as in racing.

Organize- (verb) to systematize.

Primer- (noun) an introductory text, such as a school textbook.


Grammar terms

Run-on sentence- A run-on sentence happens when two sentences are joined without punctuation or a connecting word.

Dependent clause- A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause usually begin with a subordinating conjunction like when.

Independent clause- An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Conjunction- conjunctions connect individual words or groups of words.


Activity:

1) Review the vocabulary words and definitions and write two sentences for each word. The first sentence should show that you understand the meaning of the word and the second sentence is about yourself using the vocabulary word.

2) Review the grammar terms and definition and write two examples for each grammar term.

If you want to learn more about semicolons click on the following links :

semicolon
semicolons and commas
semicolons and punctuation rules