Digital SAT · Reading & Writing · Standard English Conventions
SAT semicolon rules
A semicolon joins two complete sentences that could each stand alone. If either side cannot stand on its own, the semicolon is wrong. A semicolon also cannot introduce a list or an explanation; that is a colon's job.
The test
Cover everything after the semicolon and read what is before it. Then cover everything before it and read what is after. If both halves are full sentences, a semicolon works, and so would a period.
The museum closed at noon; the staff spent the afternoon moving the new exhibit. Both halves stand alone, so the semicolon is right. A comma alone in its place would be wrong.
The traps
- A comma where a semicolon belongs. Two full sentences joined by a comma alone are a comma splice. Use a semicolon, a period, or a comma with “and,” “but” or “so.”
- A semicolon after a dependent clause. “After the show ended” cannot stand alone, so it takes a comma, not a semicolon.
- A semicolon before a list. When a full sentence introduces a list, use a colon.
- A transition after the semicolon. Words like “however” and “in return” that open the second sentence take a comma after them: “; however,”.
The one list exception
When the items in a list already contain commas, semicolons separate the items so the reader can tell where each one ends: Lima, Peru; Quito, Ecuador; and Bogotá, Colombia.
Try 3 semicolon questions
Free, no signup, about 2 minutes.
1 of 3
Standard English Conventions
The library has kept a seed catalog in an old card cabinet since 2011. Patrons may take five packets a they are asked to return seeds from the fall harvest.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?