This is an introductory lesson on the semicolon and the compound sentence.

1. Showing Relationships: Using the
Semicolon and Compound
Sentences

2. The Semicolon
;
We can relate!

3. Before we talk about how to use the
semicolon, we need a quick review!
• What are independent clauses?
– An independent clause is a full sentence: it has a
subject and a predicate.

4. Can you find the subject and
predicate in the following
sentence?

5. The man loved his dog.

6. Predicate: The verb
(action that the man is
Subject: The doing) is “loved.” The
man is doing the verb and everything
action. after it is the predicate.
The man loved his dog.

7. Keeping this in mind, let’s get to
the first use of the semicolon!
Semicolons are used to connect two
related, independent clauses.

8. Ice cream is the best food in the
world. My favorite ice cream flavor
is cookies and cream.
I want to show that these
two sentences are related
(or, in other words, have
something to do with
each other…

9. Notice that the
first letter after
the semicolon
is not
capitalized!
Ice cream is the best food in the
world; my favorite ice cream flavor
is cookies and cream.

10. Now the reader knows that I enjoy
ice cream, and what my favorite
flavor is; these two ideas are
related!

11. Avoid using a comma when a
semicolon is needed.
• Incorrect: I love cheeseburgers, however, I
hate how difficult they are to eat.
• Correct: I love cheeseburgers; however, I hate
how difficult they are to eat.

12. These are two
independent
clauses.
I love cheeseburgers; however, I
hate how difficult they are to eat.
“However” indicates a
relationship between
the two independent
clauses; this clear
relationship requires a
semicolon.

13. I hope that I
haven’t made you
too hungry! We still
have more to talk
about!

14. Semicolons: The End of the Run-on
Sentence!

15. If there is a great deal of internal
punctuation, separate the ideas into
independent clauses and use the
semicolon!
• Example:
– When dinosaurs agree on something, they’ll often
high five one another; dinosaurs are all about high
fives.
• (from The Oatmeal)

16. Let’s Practice!

17. Use the semicolon to combine the
following sentences.
• I went to the doctor. I hate getting shots.
• I was good for the doctor. She gave me a
lollipop.
• After a long day, I will take a bubble bath.
Bubble baths are a great way to relax!
• I love cats. They are good companions.

18. Did you get it right?
Let’s check your answers!

19. Notice that “I” is still
capitalized, even
though it comes after
a semicolon.
• I went to the doctor; I hate getting shots.
• I was good for the doctor; she gave me a
lollipop.
• After a long day, I will take a bubble bath;
bubble baths are a great way to relax!
• I love cats; they are good companions.
Because there is a
semicolon between
sentences, it is clear
that “they” refers to
“cats.” Semicolons
help with clarity in
writing!

20. Semicolons: The Super-Comma!
;

21. Semicolons separate items in list
that contains commas.
I travelled to New York, New York;
Minneapolis, Minnesota; Portland,
Oregon; and San Francisco, California.

22. Compound Sentences
Bring it together!

23. A compound sentence joins two
related sentences (or independent
clauses) using a comma or a
semicolon, and then a conjunction.

24. Conjunctions are “joining words.”
• Coordinating Conjunctions (These are used to create
compound sentences; they follow the comma.)
• For
• And
• Nor
• But
• Or
• Yet When choosing a conjunction,
make sure that you pick one that
• So is appropriate for the relationship
between the two sentences.

25. Compound Sentences with a Comma
• I love reading books, but I am usually
disappointed by films based on books.

26. Compound sentences may also be
created with the use of the semicolon.

27. Compound sentences created with a semicolon are called adverbial conjunctions. They need to be used with a semicolon (;)
and a comma (,).
Adverbial Conjunctions
; therefore,
; consequently,
; thus,
; furthermore,
; however,
; still,
; also,
; besides,
; moreover,
; nevertheless,
; otherwise,
; then,

28. Adverbial Conjunctions and the
Compound Sentence
• I hate when it rains; therefore, I think that rain
should be banned!

29. Let’s Practice!
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