Semicolons - not just half a winky face ;)

Semicolons baffle and bother people in the extreme. They have a really low hit rate of correct usage because they’re tricksy. In essence, a semicolon is a big juicy comma separating two related but independent clauses. But many people become overwhelmed by the glamour of it all and use them as colons, full stops, a big pause before a dramatic statement, and sometimes randomly tacked onto the end of a sentence for added flavour. I would advise against this as using semicolons wrong makes you look silly, like someone at the gym using a complicated machine upside down and inside out and grunting a lot.

Why use a semicolon over a comma?

People commonly use the semicolon as a graceful way to connect two clauses that you want to imply are linked. A semicolon is an intermediate form of grammar and for most situations where you might use a semicolon, you can usually rejig the sentence to not need it.

How to use a semicolon

There are two main rules to obey when using a semicolon.

The first rule is: don't. Don't do it. There's really no need, just pretend it doesn't exist, use a comma, go outside, pour yourself a cup of tea, and don't use it.

The second rule is: if you simply must use it, there are two situations common where you can use a semicolon.

As a giant, juicy comma

The semicolon connects two independent clauses. The clauses involved in a semicoloned sentence must have bought the watch they're wearing, the car they're driving, the house they live in - they must depend on themselves, in the immortal words of Destiny's Child. In grammar terms, this means each clause must have a subject (the main person or object) and a predicate (the thing that happens to or describes the subject). The two clauses shouldn't already be joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet). They can be joined by a transitional word/phrase (such as however, next, similarly in conclusion).

Correct

Tea is a good beverage choice for cold weather; my favourite tea is Earl Grey.

Also correct

Tea is a good beverage choice for cold weather and my favourite tea is Earl Grey.

Incorrect

Tea is a good beverage choice for cold weather; and my favourite tea is Earl Grey.

Correct

Tea is a good beverage choice for cold weather; however, my favourite beverage is coffee.

Also correct

Tea is a good beverage choice for cold weather. However, my favourite beverage is coffee.

Incorrect

Tea is a good beverage choice for cold weather, however, my favourite beverage is coffee.

The difference between the correctly-punctuated sentences is a question of style. The ones that are broken up by full stops are more clipped; the ones that use semicolons flow a little more smoothly. Sometimes you want clipped, sometimes you want smooth. You choose.

In a list

You can also use a semicolon in a situation where you're listing items that have internal punctuation. The semicolon acts almost like a reset between items, helping the reader parse each item more clearly.

Correct

My favourite beverages are coffee because I love the social aspect of meeting a friend for coffee; tea for when I'm at home and feeling cosy; and soda water because I'm convinced it hydrates me more efficiently than regular water.

Also correct

My favourite beverages are coffee, tea, and soda water.

Incorrect

My favourite beverages are coffee, I love the social aspect of meeting a friend for coffee, tea for when I'm at home and feeling cosy, and soda water because I'm convinced it hydrates me more efficiently than regular water.

Incorrect

My favourite beverages are coffee; tea; and soda water.

The demicolon

Doesn't exist, don’t worry.

TL;DR? Don’t bother with semicolons. If you must, use them like a mega comma to subtly link two independent phrases. Or as a mega comma in a list of items where each item has its own punctuation elements.