semicolon

A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark used to connect independent clauses that are closely related. It can also separate items in a list or series, especially when those items themselves contain commas.

Semicolons are used when two related independent clauses are joined without a coordinating conjunction (like "and" or "but"). They can also replace a comma between clauses if the sentence is complex or contains other commas. Additionally, semicolons are often used before transitional words or phrases like "however," "indeed," or "for example," when they connect two independent clauses.

In lists, semicolons help to clarify when items are long or already contain commas, preventing confusion. For instance, a list of cities with their states would use semicolons to separate each entry: Pittsburgh, PA; Phoenix, AZ; and Walla Walla, WA.12