Clauses: Using Semi-Colons to Separate Clauses
English: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 2.10.9
Using Semi-Colons to Separate Clauses
We don’t always need to use a full stop to separate main clauses. Sometimes, we can use other symbols, like a semi-colon (;).
Semi-colons
- We don’t always need to use a full stop to separate main clauses.
- We can use other symbols, like semi-colons.
- A colon is a punctuation mark that looks like this: ;
- As you can see, it is one point on top of a comma.
Examples
- My boss is angry; I am late again.
- It is cold; I hope it snows.
- We are hungry; our lunch was tiny!
- I am so excited; I go on holiday next week.
Test yourself on Clauses: Using Semi-Colons to Separate Clauses
What is the name of the punctuation breaking up the main clauses?
The band is great; I want to see them again!What could we use instead of the full stop between these clauses?
The boy is celebrating. He just won the race.