When to Use a Semicolon

The semicolon is a tricky beast, but it does serve specific purposes in sentence structure. Before getting to its uses, it's best to understand what the semicolon really is.


The semicolon is a hybrid of a period and comma. Its construction, according WritersOnlineWorkshops.com's Education Services Manager Joe Stollenwerk, suggests its intention to be stronger than a comma, but not as final as a period.

The four main uses for a semicolon are:

1. To join independent clauses when the comma/coordinating conjunction construction would be stylistically weaker. Dancing is for the birds; the Chicken Dance is for weddings.

2. Separating a statement from a question or a needed shift in mood. Stop goofing around; or should I tell your mother?

3. When the second clause of a compound sentence is introduced by a conjunctive adverb, a semicolon separates the clauses. I enjoy soccer; however, my favorite sport is baseball.

4. The semicolon separates series and clauses that contain internal punctuation (usually commas): My favorite places to hang out include baseball, football and soccer fields; restaurants and eateries; and Las Vegas.

Keep in mind that in the first three uses, the elements on both sides of the semicolon could stand alone as sentences. Semicolons can only connect independent clauses (unless rule 4 applies). As a little trick, substitute a period where you think the semicolon should go. If both elements are correct as sentences, they can be joined by a semicolon. If either element cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, a semicolon cannot be used to join them and you're better served with a comma.

Of course, not all writers love the semicolon. In fact, there are some folks who despise it—namely Kurt Vonnegut who once said, "Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've been to college."

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Role of Education

Role of Education is to humanise a person physically, intellectually, socially and spiritually - to make one physically strong to put in efforts, intellectually smart enough to induce efficiency in the efforts, socially synergetic to involve others in the same and spiritually focused to direct these efforts for a constructive cause.
The system of education prevailing in our country in medieval times, of disciples going to gurukuls, tried to come nearest to perform this role in human life. But does our modern system of schooling necessarily put an emphasis on this human building? After giving a careful thought, one is inclined to answer in negative.

What really bothers me about the present day education system is its so called uniformity ! Why a kid who is born and brought up in Mumbai and going to live all his future life in the same or similar cosmopolitan metropolis be taught ploughing a field and similar such activities carried out on a common farm? A general knowledge of agriculture is essential I do agree, but would that poor kid be able to imagine himself doing all these activities?

Every state in India differs in culture, geography, language, demographics and so on. But even within a state, there exists a vast diversity among people. School syllabus should not be the same across the state after primary schooling. It should be designed to include regional peculiarities. For example, a geography syllabus in konkan region should be more elaborating on growing opportunities in tourism business, new ways of rice cultivation and the business of fisheries, marine transport, ports and their functioning, etc. A Western Maharashtra syllabus would typically include sugarcane, cotton, sugar industry, products and by-products, opportunities in agro-business, export opportunities, electricity projects carried out on Krishna-Koyna riverbeds, co-operative movement, etc.

There are other points like quality in education, practical orientation approach in education etc. but as for today, I would call it an end!!

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