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Did you know that the semi-colon has been gaining attention internationally? It's quite fascinating, and rings very true, but I though I would clear up the punctuation rules of the semi-colon with this post. 1. The semi-colon is a long pause that balances two equally important ideas. For example: She went by train; she would rather have flown. 2. It can show opposites in one sentence. For example: In summer she swims; in winter she skates. The two points below are related: 3. It joins two main clauses (main idea sentences) where there is no conjunction. For example: She studied diligently for the tests; she had nothing to fear. 4. A semi-colon may often be replaced by a full stop, or by the conjunctions and, but, so, for and although. [This is why we see semi-colons so seldom, because people mostly replace semi-colons with full stops or conjunctions] I encourage you to try using a semi-colon in your writing, I love the long pause that you get by using it.