We are back in punctuation marks class today. We shall discuss semi colons (;) from what I will call another perspective. Based on my observations of how some confuse it with others like the full stop, comma and colon, I want to establish how NOT to use the semi colon, with the hope that it will broaden everyone’s perspective on it.
Error one: Capital letters after semi colons
The expression that follows a semi colon should not start with a capital letter – unless it is a proper noun. This is a major difference between the semi colon and a full stop, and why the latter is considered stronger than the first. After you end a clause with a full stop, the one (clause/sentence) that follows it starts with a capital letter. This is, however, not the situation with the semi colon because the expression that follows it is not a new or an independent/full sentence. It is a part of the initial one:
Schools will resume on Monday. This is what the Federal Government wants. (Correct)
Schools will resume on Monday; Of course, everyone is doubting this. (Wrong)
Schools will resume on Monday; of course, everyone is doubting this. (Correct)
But if the clause after the semi colon starts with a proper noun (the name of a person, country, town, religion, festival, month, day, business/political organisation etc.), the second part too starts with the upper case (capital letter):
Three countries have indicated interest in hosting the tournament; france, I learnt, may withdraw. (Wrong)
Three countries have indicated interest in hosting the tournament; France, I learnt, may withdraw. (Correct)
Error two: Using the semi colon to introduce items
The second error you should avoid with semi colons is using it to introduce items in a sentence. It is the colon that does this:
Here are my five players to watch this year; Messi, Ronaldo, Kane, Hazard and Aguero. (Wrong)
Here are my five players to watch this year: Messi, Ronaldo, Kane, Hazard and Aguero. (Correct)
You should, indeed, note that although their names are similar, colons and semi colons perform different functions in many situations. Yet, there are occasions the two punctuation marks are interchangeable. Consider this:
My verdict is very simple: he has to repeat the class.
My verdict is very simple; he has to repeat the class.
Are both sentences not correct? They are! As a matter of fact, you can replace the colon and semi colon with a full stop in the above clause and it will still remain okay:
My verdict is simple. He has to repeat the class.
This is how ‘funny’ the manifestations of the punctuation marks can be. It is the writer’s mood (not strictly grammar or meaning) that, at times, determines one’s choice. In each of the three variants of the sentence above, the reader’s tone will slightly change to reflect the writer’s mood. A very important factor, however, is that even where you allow the mood to suggest the punctuation mark, your choice must be grammatically correct. For instance, why is the one below wrong?
My verdict is simple; He has to repeat the class.
Error three: Using the semi colon to list items
The third point is that you don’t need a semi colon when listing items. It is the ‘job’ of the coma:
She gave me four items: a book; a bag; a pair of shoes and a phone. (Wrong)
She gave me four items: a book, a bag, a pair of shoes and a phone. (Correct)
Four people are waiting outside. They are Chief Donald Akpan; Dr Caleb Adedara; Sir Aju Idede; and Engr Sulaiman Adamu. (Wrong)
Four people are waiting outside. They are Chief Donald Akpan, Dr Caleb Adedara, Sir Aju Idede, and Engr Sulaiman Adamu. (Correct)
There are, however, some situations you need the semi colon to work with the comma even while listing items. This is when more information is given about each item or object, with phrases or clauses separated by the commas involved:
Four people are waiting outside. They are the Managing Director, Topline Incorporation, Chief Donald Akpan; Chief Medical Director of Lifeline Hospital, Dr Caleb Adedara; Director of Bim Films, Mrs Aju Idede; and a popular lecturer, Dr Sulaiman Adamu.
You need the semi colons in the sentence to avoid clumsiness and ambiguity.
Credit: Akeem Lasisi, Punch