10.5 Semicolons

To separate two closely related independent clauses

To indicate a pause longer than a comma but shorter than a period

To list items in a series when the items themselves contain commas

All of the above

I went to the store; I bought some apples.

I went to the store, and I bought some apples.

I went to the store; and I bought some apples.

I went to the store: I bought some apples.

Because it highlights the connection between the sentences

Because it makes the sentence longer

Because it replaces a period

Because it is required by grammar rules

To connect two sentences without using FANBOYS

To separate items in a simple list

To end a sentence

To replace a comma in a compound sentence

A banana tree isn’t a tree at all; it’s the world’s largest herb. The fruit itself is actually a giant berry.

A banana three isn’t a tree at all. It’s the world’s largest herb. The fruit is actually a giant berry.

A banana tree isn’t a tree at all; the world’s largest herb. The fruit itself is actually a giant berry.

A banana tree isn’t a tree at all, for it’s the world’s largest herb. The fruit itself is actually a giant berry.

Comma

Colon

Semicolon

Dash