Where To Put A Semicolon

Where Does The Semicolon Go?
A Guide For The Perplexed

MC1; MC2
Between Main Clauses Not Otherwise Joined

Rule

Put a semicolon between two main clauses that are not otherwise joined.

Test IF
There are two main clauses

and

There is no coordinating conjunction

and

There is no other punctuation

THEN Use a semicolon

Examples of Semicolons Between Two Main Clauses

The skies threatened; the rains came.
Consultants must always consider the needs of their clients first; anything else follows from that.
I like coffee; however, she likes tea.

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