B. Foundations of Language · Foundations: Grammar, Sentences and PunctuationSemicolons: Joining Independent Clauses
B3.3 B3.1About 40 minutes
Learning goals- I can use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses.
- I can use the period test to check whether a semicolon is correct.
- I can fix comma splices and run-on sentences in more than one way.
- I can choose between a period, a semicolon and a comma with a joining word.
Words to know
semicolon
The mark ; . It can join two independent clauses that are closely related.
independent clause
A clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence.
comma splice
An error where two independent clauses are joined with only a comma.
coordinating conjunction
A joining word that can link two independent clauses after a comma: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS).
Halfway between a comma and a period
Look at the semicolon: ; It's a period sitting on top of a comma. That's a good way to remember what it does. It's stronger than a comma but softer than a period.
Some students take the bus to school; others walk.
The two halves could be separate sentences, but the semicolon tells the reader: these two ideas belong together.
Remember from Grades 5 and 6
In Grade 5 you fixed comma splices and run-ons, and you saw that a semicolon can join two related sentences. In Grade 6 you used a semicolon with a transition: It snowed; however, the buses still ran.
In Grade 7 you'll learn exactly when a semicolon works, when it doesn't, and how to choose the best way to join ideas.
The semicolon rule
Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related, without a joining word like and or but.
The period test: Could you put a period where the semicolon is, and have two complete sentences? If yes, the semicolon can work. If no, don't use one.
- ✅ The rink was crowded; we waited for a spot on the ice. (The rink was crowded. We waited for a spot on the ice. Both are sentences.)
- ❌ Because the rink was crowded; we waited. (Because the rink was crowded is not a sentence.)
- ❌ The rink was crowded; and we waited. (Don't add and after a semicolon. Use , and or just the semicolon.)
After a semicolon, don't use a capital letter unless the next word is a proper noun or I.
| Way to join | Example | Best when... |
|---|
| Period | The lights went out. Everyone gasped. | Ideas are separate, or you want a strong stop. |
| Comma + joining word | The lights went out, so everyone gasped. | You want to name the relationship (so, but, and, yet). |
| Semicolon | The lights went out; everyone gasped. | Ideas are closely linked and the reader can tell how. |
| Dependent clause | When the lights went out, everyone gasped. | One idea is less important or tells when, why or if. |
Worked exampleLet's test some semicolons
Is each semicolon correct? (a) My brother loves winter; he goes skiing every weekend. (b) We stayed inside; because it was raining. (c) Maple syrup is made from sap; the sap is boiled for hours.
- (a) Period test: My brother loves winter. ✓ He goes skiing every weekend. ✓ The ideas are related. → Correct.
- (b) because it was raining is a dependent clause, not a sentence. → Incorrect. Fix: We stayed inside because it was raining.
- (c) Maple syrup is made from sap. ✓ The sap is boiled for hours. ✓ Related ideas. → Correct.
(a) correct, (b) incorrect, (c) correct.
Worked exampleLet's fix a comma splice four ways
Fix: The game was tied, nobody wanted to leave.
- Period: The game was tied. Nobody wanted to leave.
- Comma + joining word: The game was tied, so nobody wanted to leave.
- Semicolon: The game was tied; nobody wanted to leave.
- Dependent clause: Because the game was tied, nobody wanted to leave.
All four are correct. The semicolon version is short and lets the reader feel the connection. The because version states the cause most clearly.
Don't overdo it
Semicolons are powerful because they're rare. One or two in a page of writing is plenty. Use one when two ideas are balanced or contrast (Some people love winter; others count the days until spring.) or when the second idea explains the first (I'm tired; I was up all night with a cough.).
Another use you may see: semicolons can separate items in a list when the items already contain commas: We visited Thunder Bay, Ontario; Brandon, Manitoba; and Regina, Saskatchewan.
Just for funWhy did the comma wear a period as a hat?
It wanted to be a semicolon!
Hands-on activitySemicolon matchmaker
You need: 12 index cards or scraps of paper, a pen, and a family member.
- On 6 cards, write the first half of a pair of closely related sentences, like The kettle whistled, My sister loves cats, The storm knocked out the power.
- On 6 more cards, write sentences that could follow, like the water was ready for tea, my brother is allergic to them, we lit candles.
- Shuffle each pile. Take turns matching a first half with a second half and putting a semicolon (draw it on a sticky note or small card) between them.
- Read each pair aloud. Does it make sense? Is the relationship clear?
- Bonus: rewrite each pair a second way, with a comma and a joining word or a dependent clause.
What to look for: both sides of each semicolon are complete sentences, the second starts with a lowercase letter, and the ideas belong together.
Your turn
1Join with a semicolon: The power went out. We played cards by candlelight.
The power went out; we played cards by candlelight.
2Correct or incorrect? Although I studied; the test was hard.
Incorrect. Although I studied is a dependent clause. Fix: Although I studied, the test was hard.
3Correct or incorrect? Raj plays the drums; his sister plays the cello.
Correct. Both sides are independent clauses, and they're related (a contrast).
4Fix the capital letter: The snow is deep; We need our boots.
The snow is deep; we need our boots. No capital after a semicolon unless it's a proper noun or I.
5Fix the comma splice with a semicolon: Lacrosse is fast, players need lots of energy.
Lacrosse is fast; players need lots of energy.
6Correct or incorrect? We packed snacks; and we left early.
Incorrect. Don't put and after a semicolon. Use We packed snacks, and we left early. or We packed snacks; we left early.
More practice: warm-up
1What two punctuation marks make up a semicolon?
A period on top of a comma.
2What test checks whether a semicolon is correct?
The period test: both sides must be complete sentences.
3Is since it was late an independent clause?
No. It's a dependent clause.
4Join with a semicolon: It's cold outside. Wear your toque.
It's cold outside; wear your toque.
5Is this a comma splice? The bell rang, everyone ran outside.
Yes. Two independent clauses are joined by only a comma.
More practice: on your own
1Fix this run-on two different ways: Hummingbirds beat their wings very fast they can hover in the air.
- Hummingbirds beat their wings very fast; they can hover in the air. 2. Because hummingbirds beat their wings very fast, they can hover in the air. (A period also works.)
2Which is the best way to join these, and why? I wanted to go to the movie. I had too much homework.
I wanted to go to the movie, but I had too much homework. The word but names the contrast clearly. (A semicolon works too, but but makes the relationship easier to see.)
3Correct or incorrect? Explain. Our team practised every day; as a result, we won the tournament.
Correct. Both sides are independent clauses. as a result is a transition, so it comes after the semicolon with a comma after it.
4Write a semicolon sentence that shows contrast about two seasons.
Model: Summer at the cottage is busy and loud; winter there is quiet and still. Both sides are complete sentences.
5Find the error: My cousin lives in Halifax; which is in Nova Scotia.
which is in Nova Scotia is a dependent (adjective) clause, so a semicolon can't come before it. Fix: My cousin lives in Halifax, which is in Nova Scotia.
Challenge
1Rewrite this paragraph, using exactly one semicolon where it works best: The trail was steep. We stopped often to rest. At the top, the view was amazing. We could see three lakes.
Model: The trail was steep, so we stopped often to rest. At the top, the view was amazing; we could see three lakes. The second sentence explains the first, so the semicolon fits there.
2Explain why a writer might choose a semicolon instead of because: I'm exhausted; I ran a half-marathon this morning.
A semicolon lets the reader see the connection without spelling it out, which feels quicker and more dramatic. Because states the cause directly and is clearer for readers who need it. Both are correct; it's a style choice.
3Use semicolons to punctuate this list: The guest speakers came from Iqaluit, Nunavut, Whitehorse, Yukon and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
The guest speakers came from Iqaluit, Nunavut; Whitehorse, Yukon; and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The items contain commas, so semicolons separate them clearly.
Quiz
1. Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
2. What is wrong with The movie ended, we went home.?
3. Which fix for The movie ended, we went home. is correct?
4. After a semicolon, the next word...
5. Which pair of ideas is the best fit for a semicolon?
6. Which is a dependent clause, so it can't stand on either side of a semicolon by itself?
What this lesson is about: using a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses (a Grade 7 punctuation expectation), and choosing among a period, a semicolon, a comma with a joining word, or a dependent clause.
How to help at home:
- Teach the period test: cover the semicolon with your finger and replace it with a period. Are both halves complete sentences?
- Look for semicolons in novels or newspapers and talk about why the writer chose one.
Common difficulties:
- Putting a semicolon before a dependent clause (; because..., ; which...).
- Adding and or but after a semicolon.
- Capitalizing after a semicolon.
- Overusing semicolons. One or two per page is enough.