The Semicolon The main use of the semicolon (;) is to separate independent clauses, which may or may not be connected with a conjunctive adverb. e Conjunctive adverbs: These connectors resemble both conjunctions and adverbs. Like conjunctions, they serve as linking devices between elements of equal rank. Like adverbs, they function as modifiers, showing such things as similarity, contrast, result or effect, addition, emphasis, time and example. O Similarity: likewise, similarly o Contrast: however, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, otherwise oO Result or effect: accordingly, as a result, consequently, hence, therefore, thus o Addition: also, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, moreover e © Emphasis or clarity: in fact, in other words, indeed, that 1s o Time: afterward, later, meanwhile, subsequently o Example: for example, for instance, to illustrate Itcan also be used between items in a series containing internal punctuation. The semicolon is never used between elements of unequal grammatical rank. > Class Exercise 26