P3-a Use a semicolon to join independent clauses if the second clause restates or sets up a contrast to the first.
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P3-a Use a semicolon to join independent clauses if the second clause restates or sets up a contrast to the first.
independent clause A word group with a subject and a predicate that can stand alone as a separate sentence.
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Although two independent clauses could be separated by a period, the semicolon tells the reader that they are closely related, emphasizing the restatement or sharpening the contrast.
Note: When the independent clauses are linked by and, but, or another coordinating conjunction, use a comma rather than a semicolon (see P1-a) unless the independent clauses include internal punctuation (see P3-c).