Bill Conrad's Blog - Posts Tagged "sentences"
The Dramatic Semicolon Decline
Yesterday, I randomly found this article:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2...
It claimed that over the last 20 years, the use of semicolons in British English has fallen by 50%. I have also noticed the decline, but I did not think it was this severe. Well, what is going on? Of course, I have a wacky theory.
But first, when is it appropriate to use a semicolon? I could provide the Wikipedia answer, but I prefer my own methodically researched version. It is used when… Alright, truth. I have no idea. My best guess is that a semicolon gets mashed in between two disconnected topics. Its purpose is to magically separate the two thoughts. As far as when they are appropriate? I let MS Word, ProWritingAid, Grammarly, or my editor sprinkle them in. Otherwise, those pesky little beasts never enter my documents. Translation: I only use them when I am told to because they are a complete mystery.
Well… I could investigate the matter. Perhaps even learn something. I suppose, but I would rather leave it to the professionals, which leads to my theory. I think I am not alone because I do not want to look like an idiot by misusing them. Instead, I use a coma or period, which seems more than enough to separate thoughts. Also, a sentence with a semicolon is often misread. Why?
The whole point of punctuation is to help the reader and, more importantly, the speaker. “Stan played with his toy car, boat, plane and spaceship.” What an amazing sentence. First, there was a capital letter at the beginning. Nice! I know when to begin speaking. Then, the comma indicates when to pause naturally. Thus, the listening person knows the toys are separate. Meaning the car is different from the boat, as opposed to a vehicle that can transition between land and water. Finally, that wonderful period. I know precisely when to stop speaking.
But a semicolon? Umm. Am I supposed to pause my speech longer than usual? Is this for dramatic effect? Is this literary device an “almost” comma or “maybe” period? Should I treat it like a yield sign instead of a caution sign? How is it supposed to help the reader or speaker?
Alright, I broke down and researched the matter. “A semicolon connects two closely related independent clauses within a single sentence or separates items in a series when those items contain commas or are lengthy. It’s used when a period would be too strong and a comma too weak.”
Wow, that explanation made things so much worse. Too many commas? Strong period? That makes little sense. “Stan played with his toy car; boat; plane; and spaceship.” So, he never plays with them at the same time because of the semicolon? And only grammar experts would know this. Yay?
I am no closer to understanding the semicolon, and my research convinced me that my confusion is justified. So yes, I am allowing the semicolon to fade into obscurity. It is too complex for today’s reader, and me. Now, if we can only get rid of the long dash—, underscore_ and vertical bar|
You’re the best -Bill
June 11, 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2...
It claimed that over the last 20 years, the use of semicolons in British English has fallen by 50%. I have also noticed the decline, but I did not think it was this severe. Well, what is going on? Of course, I have a wacky theory.
But first, when is it appropriate to use a semicolon? I could provide the Wikipedia answer, but I prefer my own methodically researched version. It is used when… Alright, truth. I have no idea. My best guess is that a semicolon gets mashed in between two disconnected topics. Its purpose is to magically separate the two thoughts. As far as when they are appropriate? I let MS Word, ProWritingAid, Grammarly, or my editor sprinkle them in. Otherwise, those pesky little beasts never enter my documents. Translation: I only use them when I am told to because they are a complete mystery.
Well… I could investigate the matter. Perhaps even learn something. I suppose, but I would rather leave it to the professionals, which leads to my theory. I think I am not alone because I do not want to look like an idiot by misusing them. Instead, I use a coma or period, which seems more than enough to separate thoughts. Also, a sentence with a semicolon is often misread. Why?
The whole point of punctuation is to help the reader and, more importantly, the speaker. “Stan played with his toy car, boat, plane and spaceship.” What an amazing sentence. First, there was a capital letter at the beginning. Nice! I know when to begin speaking. Then, the comma indicates when to pause naturally. Thus, the listening person knows the toys are separate. Meaning the car is different from the boat, as opposed to a vehicle that can transition between land and water. Finally, that wonderful period. I know precisely when to stop speaking.
But a semicolon? Umm. Am I supposed to pause my speech longer than usual? Is this for dramatic effect? Is this literary device an “almost” comma or “maybe” period? Should I treat it like a yield sign instead of a caution sign? How is it supposed to help the reader or speaker?
Alright, I broke down and researched the matter. “A semicolon connects two closely related independent clauses within a single sentence or separates items in a series when those items contain commas or are lengthy. It’s used when a period would be too strong and a comma too weak.”
Wow, that explanation made things so much worse. Too many commas? Strong period? That makes little sense. “Stan played with his toy car; boat; plane; and spaceship.” So, he never plays with them at the same time because of the semicolon? And only grammar experts would know this. Yay?
I am no closer to understanding the semicolon, and my research convinced me that my confusion is justified. So yes, I am allowing the semicolon to fade into obscurity. It is too complex for today’s reader, and me. Now, if we can only get rid of the long dash—, underscore_ and vertical bar|
You’re the best -Bill
June 11, 2025
