Semicolons

Question 1

What is an independent clause?

Answer 1

A group of words that has a subject and a verb. It can express a complete idea.

Question 2

When there are two independent but related clauses, how do you punctuate them?

Answer 2

Use a semicolon when there are two independent clauses that are closely related but have no coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor).
Ex: No one is at fault; no one should be blamed.

Question 3

Sometimes a CR does not want to use a semicolon with two independent but related clauses. What can you use instead?

Answer 3

A period after the first sentence followed by a capitalized (first letter) second sentence.
Ex: No one is at fault. No ones hould be blamed.

Question 4

Do you use a semicolon when there is a coordinating conjunction in two independent clauses?

Answer 4

No. If the conjunction is used between the independent clauses, the semicolon is NOT used. But a comma may be placed before the conjunction if either clause exceeds five words.
ex: No one is at fault, and no one should be blamed.
ex: He is my husband ad he is my best friend.
ex: We were the best of friends, but we were the worst of enemies.

Question 5

A compound sentence consists of _______________

Answer 5

Two independent clauses.

Question 6

Use a semicolon in a compound sentence when the second clause begins with an adverbial conjunction or transitional expression. State some examples of those expressions.

Answer 6

Accordingly, consequently, furthermore, however, indeed, in fact, namely, nevertheless, moreover, on the contrary, similarly, therefore.
Ex: We proposed the project; however, the board refused it.

Question 7

Some CRs may not want to use a semicolon in a compound sentence when the 2nd clause begins with an adverbial conjunction or transitional expression. What do you do then?

Answer 7

A CR may want a period to separate the clauses if either clause is very long OR the 2nd clause needs emphasis.

Question 8

There are some words that at as introductions to the 2nd clause that are NO LONGER set off by a comma. What are they?

Answer 8

Hence, so, thus, yet.
Ex: The debt was paid over a two year period; yet I never received a single statement from the shop.

Question 9

What if the transitional expression is in the middle of two clauses that are not independent?

Answer 9

Use a pair of commas around the transitional expression.
Ex: We proposed, however, that the development be a 15-year project.

Question 10

What punctuation do you use with words that introduce an explanation, an enumeration, or a list?

Answer 10

Use a semicolon before words such as:
as, e.g., for example, i.e., namely, that is, that is to say, to wit.
Ex: The doctor cautioned me about fatty foods; that is to say, no butter, no mayo, no sour cream, no cheese. Follow the explanatory word(s) with a comma.
Ex: She told no one, that is, except me.

Question 11

When phrases or clauses are in a series containing commas within themselves, do you use a semicolon?

Answer 11

Yes.
Ex: The vandalism occurred to the door, Apartment 1; the door, Apartment 2; the rear door, Apartment 3; the door, Apartment 4.

Question 12

If clauses are long and are introduced by “that,” what punctuation do you use and how do you use it?

Answer 12

A semicolon separates long clauses introduced by “that.”
Ex: The man claims THAT there was never an agreement signed by him; THAT any documents presented with his signature are forgeries; AND THAT the only way the plaintiff could have know about the business was to break into the office on November 28.

Question 13

What is a dependent clause? If it is used with “that,” how do you determine when to use a semicolon to separate them?

Answer 13

A group of words that has a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone – read the rest of the sentence to determine or make sense.

Question 14

How many words does a long dependent clause have?

Answer 14

10 - 12 words.

Question 15

If dependent clause are short, are commas or semicolons used to separate the clauses?

Answer 15

Commas are used to separate the clauses.
Ex: The plaintiff claims he was harassed by the officer, that he had all the papers, and that he was cooperative.
Ex: I regret that I stopped, that I spoke to her, that I gave her the number.

Question 16

If clauses are long and are introduced by “that,” what punctuation do you use and how do you use it?

Answer 16

A semicolon separates long clauses introduced by “that.”
Ex: The man claims THAT there was never an agreement signed by him; THAT any documents presented with his signature which relinquish authority are forgeries; AND THAT the only way the plaintiff could have know about the business was to break into the office on November 28.

Question 17

If “that” clauses are short but numerous or tabulated, how do you separate them?

Answer 17

With semicolons.
Ex: Dr., assume that the patient is 45; that he weighs 185 lbs; that he is 5’ 11”; that he was employed; that he had five operations.
Ex: I want you to assume, Dr., the following:
That the man was involved in heavy manual work;
That on the day, November 18th, he was putting a shaft in a machine;
That the shaft weighed 300 lbs;
That he felt pulling in the chest that knocked him out.

Question 18

How do you punctuate two dependent THAT clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction?

Answer 18

None – no punctuation needed if two dependent THAT clauses are connected by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or nor.
Ex: I will prove that the reports are in error and that my client did not come to work that day.

Question 19

If there are only two dependent THAT clauses with no conjunction and they are short, uncomplicated, and have no punctuation within them, what punctuation mark do you use?

Answer 19

Use a comma.
Ex: I marveled that she was so physically fit, that she never worked out.

Question 20

If there are only two dependent THAT clauses with no conjunction but they are long, difficult, or have commas within them, what punctuation do you use?

Answer 20

Use a semicolon.
Ex: I was astonished that not one interviewer ever asked to see any documentation regarding his resume, his previous employment, if any; that not one supervisor expressed dissatisfaction with his work.

Question 21

When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (but, and, or, nor) and at least one of the clauses is very long and has a comma in it, what other punctuation do you use?

Answer 21

A semicolon.
Ex: I discovered many errors and saved the company thousands of dollars over the years by taking work home nearly every night to check over the invoices; but when the computers were added, it was like child’s play because so much was programmed to avoid the kinds of errors that were so common before.

Question 22

Can sentences begin with “and” or “but”? Can independent clauses that begin with “and” or “but” become two separate sentences?

Answer 22

Yes, that is also correct. (18)

Question 23

Can enumerations begin with numbers or letters?

Answer 23

Both.

Question 24

If there are long or numbered phrases, what kind of punctuation do you use?

Answer 24

A semicolon. (18)
We were informed that (1) the first offense was punishable with a fine of $100; (2) the second offense was punishable with a fine to be fixed by the Court not to exceed $500; (3) and the third offense was punishable by a fine not to exceed $1500 or, in the discretion of the court, imprisonment not to exceed 30 days or both.

Question 25

________________ may be used when the enumerations are short and do not have commas within them.

Answer 25

Commas.
Ex: We need temporary help (1) to remove the old merchandise, (2) to tag the new merchandise, (3) to shelve the new stock, (4) to clean out the storage units.

Question 26

Enumerations may be written as words or number if the list is ____________.

Answer 26

Short. Note: Use a comma after all the words that represent a number and use a semicolon to separate the items in the series. (18).
Ex: We confirmed, one, the name; two, the age; three, the time; four, the date.

Question 27

Use a ________________________ to separate two independent clauses when the verb is missing but the idea is fully understood without it.

Answer 27

Semicolon. (18) Note: Use a comma to show that the verb is missing.)
Ex: To err is human; to forgive, divine.
Ex: We promote health; they, disease.
Ex: Our ticket cost $30; his, $50; hers, $40.

Question 28

A ________________ may be used to separate two very long independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor).

Answer 28

Semicolon (19). Note: Sentences can begin with the word “and” or “but”; so if the reporter wants to write this as two separate sentences that is also correct.
Ex: All money paid as a deposit by a person who has contracted to purchase a house to be constructed shall constitute trust funds for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of said contract; and any use of said money that does not carry out the provisions of said contract shall constitute an unlawful diversion of trust funds.