The semicolon is the colon's quirkier sibling. While the colon is simply two dots stacked : the semicolon is a dot hovering over a comma ; The semicolon does jobs that are also done by other punctuation marks, but puts its own spin on the task. Like a comma, it can separate elements in a series.
If the period is a dot that tells us to stop, the comma is the dot-with-a-tail that tells us to slow down. Commas play an important role in helping people know how to interpret what they read. A missing or misplaced comma can drastically alter the meaning of a sentence.
Rule. Use a semicolon between closely related independent clauses which are not joined by a coordinating conjunction. This rule means that semicolons are used between two complete sentences which are not already linked by words like and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.
When to Use a Semicolon. A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark that has two main functions: Semicolons separate items in a complex list. For example, The Council is comprised of ten members: three from Sydney, Australia; four from Auckland, New Zealand; two from Suva, Fiji; and one from Honiara, Solomon Islands.
This small punctuation mark—in grammatical terms—represents a place where a sentence could end, but continues on.
A semicolon tattoo is a tattoo of the semicolon punctuation mark (;), which is used as a message of affirmation and solidarity with those who have dealt with suicide, depression, addiction, and other mental health issues.
While you don't have to get a semicolon tattoo because of its meaning, those who get the tattoo usually do so to honor someone—whether that's a friend, a relative, or themselves—or to raise awareness of mental illness, suicide, addiction, or self-harm.
Semicolons connect main clauses, i.e. groups of words with a subject and verb that could function as a complete sentence on their own. If you were to use a comma to link main clauses, it would be a comma splice. Think of commas as being too weak to hold main clauses together without the help of a conjunction.
Colons introduce or define something. The primary use of semicolons is to join two main clauses. The difference between semicolons and colons is that colons can combine two independent clauses, but their primary use is to join independent clauses with a list or a noun.
Semicolons are also like hard commas because they can be used to separate list items (especially when the list items contain commas). For example: I will contact Matt, the baker; Simon, the butcher; and Janet, the lawyer.
A semicolon can replace a period if the writer wishes to narrow the gap between two closely linked sentences (independent clauses). Examples: Call me tomorrow; you can give me an answer then. We have paid our dues; we expect all the privileges listed in the contract.
After 13 Reasons Why became a breakout show on Netflix, Selena, who executive produced the show, got a semicolon tattoo on her wrist with cast members Alisha Boe and Tommy Dorfman. Semicolon tattoos are a reference to Project Semicolon, a suicide prevention and mental health awareness platform.
The term ellipsis comes from the Greek word meaning 'omission,' and that's just what it does: an ellipsis shows that something has been left out. You can use an ellipsis when you're quoting someone to show that you've omitted some of their words.
Important Rules
Don't use commas in between two independent clauses. Semicolons connect two independent clauses. Colons come after a complete sentence and set up a list or explanation. Dashes can be used to mark off non-essential clauses or introduce lists and explanations.
We can use a colon to introduce a list at the end of a complete sentence. For example, “We lived in countries all over the world: Iraq, Japan, and Peru.” Here, we're renaming the countries that have been lived in by listing them individually.
Perhaps the most common semicolon mistake is using the punctuation mark when it is not needed. Use Semicolons as Follows: Link two or more related independent clauses with a semicolon unless they are already joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
In place of a comma to separate items in a series when the items already contain commas or when the items are long.
The infinity symbol is a common grief tattoo. This sign represents togetherness and eternity, mostly used to honor a love that will never end. Though you might have experienced loss, your love is endless and unyielding.
The semicolon has become a symbol for those who have battled depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health issues; it is a reminder that even though their story could have ended there, they chose to continue on.
'La Eme,' or The M, is the symbol of the Mexican Mafia. They are one of the largest and most ruthless prison gangs in the U.S. They're allied with the Aryan Brotherhood, and have a common enemy in the Nuestra Familia. La Eme was started not in Mexico, but in Mexican-Americans who were incarcerated in American prisons.
Project Semicolon began as a call for people to draw a ";" on their body to highlight a range of mental health issues including depression, suicide, addiction and self-harm. Many are now making the marks permanent, with semicolon tattoos.
If you're looking for anxiety tattoos, you've probably seen a lot of options with semicolons. Semicolon tattoos were inspired by Project Semicolon – a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention. Over time, the semicolon has been used to represent mental health awareness, including anxiety.
Unique as you are, semicolon tattoos have become a minimalist symbol of continuation, for a while now. Really simple and especially beautiful semicolon tattoos stand for hope. Place them on your wrist, behind your ear, your finger or anywhere you like, it's your body after all.