The semicolon

Zeroing in
The main thing you need to do in you want to keep your writing free of semicolon-related is to keep in mind if you want to avoid semicolon errors about the semicolon is that the the ideas it connect need to need to be closely related.
As long as this requirement is met, the semicolon would work in the following two situations:

• As a substitute for a conjunction that might otherwise separate the two independent clauses in a compound sentence.
• To separate the items in a series of related items.

Mid-sentence use.

Instead of: The weather report is promising, and maybe we should reverse our decision to cancel the picnic.
This: The weather report is promising [;] maybe we change our decision to cancel the event.
___________________________________________________________________
But not:
We had too many fumble[;] may it’s time to rethink our advertising message.
The competition we’re facing in several of our key markets is increasing [;] one of our goals for the coming quarter is to reduce travel expenses. (The content in the two clauses isn’t closely enough related to warrant a semicolon.
between two independent the comma-conjunction combination and, by doing so, extend the pause. conjunction that connects two independent clause The decision to use the semicolon for this purpose is to control the pacing of the sentence. What the semicolon does is to create a pause slightly longer than the pause created A closer lookclose out The first is to separate the independent clauses in a compound sentence. Whether you choose use the semicolon to link two independent clauses in a compound (as opposed to usual comma-conjunction tandem)
A closer look The semicolon is a punctuation mark you are now likely to find much need of in most of the documents you write. But if you choose to make use of it, you need to be aware of situations in which semicolons should not be used.
Items in a series
When one or more items in series is itself separated by commas, the semicolon can =”explanation-block”>The situation is looking promising; I cannot imagine anything going wrong. (The two ideas in this compound sentence are closely related and could have also been separated by either a period. The semicolon produces smoother flow.))
But: The situation
But not: The situation is looking promising; can you give me a call to discuss. (The second of the two independent clauses in this sentences. The idea in the second half of this compound sentence isn’t closely related to the idea in the first

Instead of: The three firms we’re considering to become our legal representative are Adams, Clove, and Jordan, from New York, Helms and Enders, from Boston, and Field, Smith, and Taylor, from New Orleans.
This: The three firms we’re considering to become our legal representative are Adams, Clove, and Jordan, from New York; Helms and Enders, from Boston; and Field, Smith, and Taylor, from New Orleans. (The semicolons after New York and Boston clear up the confusion of the “instead of” sentence.)

clause).The situations blahWhen not to use the semicolon”When one of the two clauses is dependent.) The semicolon should never (repeat never!) separate a Dependent Clause from an independent clauses.

The second use of the semicolon is substitute for commas when one of more of the the items in a list of items is itself separated by commas.
Instead of: The three firms we’re considering to become our legal representative are Adams, Clove, and Jordan, from New York, Helms and Enders, from Boston, and Field, Smith, and Taylor, from New Orleans.
This: The three firms we’re considering to become our legal representative are Adams, Clove, and Jordan, from New York; Helms and Enders, from Boston; and Field, Smith, and Taylor, from New Orleans. (The semicolons after New York and Boston clear up the confusion of the “instead of” sentence.)

Use a semicolon to separate items in a list when the items are already separated by commas.
Example: The winners of the marathon hailed from Little Rock, Arkansas; Denver, Colorado; and Kodiak Island, Alaska.

Because a comma is required between the city and state, the city-state entities are separated by semicolons to avoid confusion and comma overload.

Use a semicolon to separate items in a list when the items are already separated by commas.
Example: The winners of the marathon hailed from Little Rock, Arkansas; Denver, Colorado; and Kodiak Island, Alaska.

Because a comma is required between the city and state, the city-state entities are separated by semicolons to avoid confusion and comma overload.

Be careful not to confuse a semicolon with a colon. They perform two different functions. The semicolon invites the reader to pause; the colon moves the reader forward. The colon precedes a series of elements that amplify or expand on what comes before the colon. Also make sure to use a colon only after a complete sentence, not a fragment. For example:

Incorrect: My favorite weekend activities include: sleeping in, pigging out, and cheering for the home team.

Correct: I’m looking forward to my weekend activities: sleeping in, pigging out, and cheering for the home team.

On another note, fiction writers often misuse semicolons! The most common misuse is in setting apart a phrase, and what should be used here is an em dash, such as in this example:

Incorrect: He lost his money at the slot machines; every single penny.

Correct: He lost his money at the slot machines—every single penny.

So, try hard not to misuse this tiny bit of punctuation.
A semicolon can replace a period if the writer wishes to narrow the gap between two closely linked sentences.

Examples:
Call me tomorrow; you can give me an answer then.
We have paid our dues; we expect all the privileges listed in the contract.
I think we should rethink our plans