Semicolon Guide-Sarasy, Licea

A semicolon is a punctuation mark (;) indicting a pause, typically between two main clauses, that is more pronounced than that indicated by a comma.

Rules:
1. Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out.
Example: Come to my office at noon; I will sign your papers then.

2. It is preferable to use a semicolon before the introductory words such as namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e, for example, e.g, or for instance when they introduce a complete sentence. It is also preferable to use a comma after the introductory word.
Example: this year you will have to read many books; for example Romeo and Juliet, The Canterbury Tales and Lord of the Flies.

3. Use the semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more units contain commas.
Example: During our travel around the world we want to go to Sydney,Australia; Paris, France; Forks,Washington.

4. Use the semicolon between two sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction when one or more commas appear in the first sentence.
Example: After class, I will grade your homework; I will be happy to email you yours grades, once I have finished.