What is the proper use of the semicolon [ ; ]?
“The uses of the semicolon in English are fourfold: – Use a semicolon between closely-related independent clauses not conjoined with a co-ordinating conjunction: “I went to the swimming pool; I was told it was closed for scheduled maintenance.” – Use a semicolon between independent clauses linked with a transitional phrase or a conjunctive adverb: “I like to eat cows; however, they don’t like to be eaten by me.” – Use a semicolon between items in a series containing internal punctuation: “There are several Waffle Houses in Atlanta, Georgia; Greenville, South Carolina; Gainesville, Florida; and Mobile, Alabama.” – A semicolon can be used to separate independent clauses conjoined with coordinating conjunctions, when the clauses have internal commas that might be misread: “After the game, I won a red and blue pinwheel, four hundred thousand edible ingots, and a certificate of excellence; but when the storm came, I lost it all in a torrent of sleet, snow, and profanity.” Semicolons are fol
