How to use a semicolon - Emma Bryce

It may seem like the semicolon is struggling with an identity crisis. It looks like a comma crossed with a period. Maybe that’s why we toss these punctuation marks around like grammatical confetti; we’re confused about how to use them properly. Emma Bryce clarifies best practices for the semi-confusing semicolon.

Lesson by Emma Bryce, animation by Karrot Entertainment.

[randomgirl]

Once I wrote an essay and finished early. I gave it to my teacher, and he said "Finally! A semicolon used correctly." I have never been happier.

[MoaoAyt]

If this helps out anyone, I try to remember how to use semicolons as the following:
• Semicolons are used like a period, but are read like a comma.
• Both sides of a Semicolon must be able to stand as independent sentences.
• The conjoined sentences should still be fluid while reading them, such like a comma would.

(I’m not an English major, but this what I think helps me remember semicolon usage)

[AAlrayes]

The most annoying thing is how every textbook spends a whole page on "when to use semicolons" and then in the exercise they give examples that don't match any of the conditions

[jrkws]

"Semicolons were once a great mystery to me; I'd really like a sandwich."

[alvaropadilla]

No teacher has ever taught me on how to use a semicolon; thank you TED-ed

[vvennela]

"It seems like the semicolon is facing an identity crisis"

Same bro.

[shaney]

Programmers be like: ohh it's just how you end a line.

[abhiramcd]

Meanwhile programmers watching video: that's what we use on every line.

[jokesterthemighty]

Semicolon's belong to the end of your statement, otherwise your code won't compile

[mikeshaftx]

Semicolons are hard to use; you seem smarter when you do though.

[GregoryTheGrster]

I REALLY like how you made the animation look like a video game. Very good artistic choice. Note that in computer programming languages, the semicolon signifies the end of a statement.

[Porv]

Thank you so much TED ED! I’m and aspiring author, but I never knew how to use semicolons. The variety in my writing was limited; I never took the risk of using them. Now that I know how to use them, I’m really happy and definitely gonna be using them much more often! :)

[msmuffett]

I've never used a semicolon; I will begin to now.

[Abelhawk]

It’s basically a soft period or a hard comma. That’s how I learned it in my college English Editing major.

[johnathanfinewood]

I can’t wait to use this in ELA; it will make my writing look more professional.

[duck-zpod]

I want this Nintendo game, what's it called? Super Grammar Bros?

[zone]

I love using semicolons; they help me express my thoughts more efficiently.

[carolynsaffoe]

I never know when to use a semicolon and readily admit that I throw them in sometimes to look like I know. I am totally relying on the reader to also not know when they are supposed to be used, and then think I’m a genius!

[ipsharoy]

Now that I think about it, in all my life of 13 years of studying at school I have never learnt how to properly use this punctuation because no teacher has ever taught me to. I am not exaggerating. Even the English teachers would overlook it because apparently "it is an unimportant punctuation".

[MegurokoSylveon]

This actually helped me ; now i am unstoppable