Colon and semicolon are confusing punctuation marks in English grammar and some time student get stuck to choose correct one. In this article student will learn about correct use of semicolon.

We use semicolon to connect two independent clauses to show  relationship between them. In simple words we use semicolon to join two statements which are linked in meaning.

When to use semicolon in a sentence:

We use semicolon when we want to make a pause to put emphasis on following statement e.g.

·        The coconut tree gives us oil; it provides us food; it gives us rope and many other things.

When to phrases are interrelatted in meanings, we use semicolon e.g.

·        when there is pin-drop silence; no noise and disturbance, then this time is perfect for study.

·        Jane always has a stick with her; she is afraid of dogs.

Sometime both punctuation marks, colon and semicolon, are used togetther in a single sentence as in sentence given below:

·        There are four fruits on the table: one is apple; second is orange; third is apricot; and last is bnana. 

Hope you have learned a lot about use of semicolon. Stay connected for happy learning.