Supplemental

NETA PowerPoint
Slides
to accompany
The Bare Essentials
Ninth Edition

Sarah Norton/Brian Green/Nell Waldman

By Kate Atkinson
George Brown College

Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd.

 Chapter 18

The Semicolon

Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd.

 1. Between Independent Clauses
Not to be confused with the colon (:), which will be explained in the
next chapter, the semicolon (;) can be used in three main ways.
1. The semicolon can replace a period, which means that it can join
two independent clauses.
If two independent clauses are connected in meaning or by a cause-
and-effect relationship, you can use a semicolon to signal this
connection.
It’s official; I’m expecting a baby in April.
Laine felt terrible; he had completely forgotten the appointment.
Davia’s blunt; he’s more subtle.
We would not, however, use a semicolon if the two thoughts are not
connected:
The mail just arrived; I want pie. X

Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd.

 2. Before Transitional Words and Phrases
2. Certain transitional words or phrases can be used
between independent clauses to show a cause-and-
effect relationship or the continuation of an idea. These
words or phrases are preceded by a semicolon and
followed by a comma. The following table lists commonly
used; accordingly,
transitional words and phrases:; nevertheless,
; furthermore,
; also, ; however, ; on the other
hand,
; as a result, ; in addition, ; otherwise,
; besides, ; in fact, ; then,
; consequently, ; indeed, ; therefore,
; finally, ; instead, ; thus,
; for example, ; moreover, ; unfortunately,
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2. Before Transitional Words and Phrases,
cont’d.
The pattern to follow is this:
Independent clause; transitional word or phrase,
independent clause.
We had a flood at the restaurant last night; therefore,
we will be opening at 3 p.m. instead of 10 a.m.
Terrell sprinted back to his car; unfortunately, it had
already been given a parking ticket.
Cherie loved dogs but wasn’t ready to adopt; instead,
she fostered dogs from the local animal shelter.

Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd.

 2. Before Transitional Words and Phrases.
cont’d.
When transitional words or phrases are used as non-
essential expressions rather than connecting words, they
should be offset by commas with no semicolon.
The cat, however, kept the mouse population under
control.
Adam was, in fact, the least likely person to break the
rules.
The party, consequently, was rescheduled for the next
week.

Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd.

 3. In a Complex List
Sometimes, a list includes items that naturally contain
commas themselves, which can lead to confusion about the
number of items:
On our trip, we will be stopping in Managua, Nicaragua,
Guatemala City, Guatemala, and Mexico City, Mexico.
To make a complex list easier to read and understand, use
semicolons between the items instead of commas.
On our trip, we will be stopping in Managua, Nicaragua;
Guatemala City, Guatemala; and Mexico City, Mexico.
I have scheduled interviews with Mona Lee, the star;
Bronwen Lee, a cast member; and Lesley Toady, the director.

Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd.

 Practice
Add semicolons to the following sentences. Add transitional
words or phrases as appropriate as well.
1. I need to talk through a problem. Do you have time to listen?
2. The walls will be painted pale blue, Hanan’s favourite colour,
mango yellow, my favourite colour, and dove grey, which we
both like.
3. The first experiment failed. The engineers will attempt it
again next month.
4. I am always impressed with my mechanic’s work. He is the
only person I trust with my motorcycle.
5. We had a huge debate about which internet provider to use.
We decided to stay with the same company.

Copyright © 2017 by Nelson Education Ltd.