The Semicolon Stigma
If punctuation marks had personalities, the semicolon would be that mysterious guest at the party, you know they’re interesting, but you’re not quite sure how to approach them. Many people, even experienced writers, avoid semicolons because they feel intimidating. They’ve been called overly formal, complicated, or just plain unnecessary.
But here’s the truth: semicolons aren’t scary. They’re actually simple, practical tools that can make your writing clearer and more professional. If you’ve ever hesitated mid-sentence, unsure whether to commit to a period or try stretching things out with a comma, chances are the semicolon was exactly what you needed.
For scopists and transcript editors, mastering semicolons isn’t just a grammar flex, it’s a way to untangle messy testimony, elevate clarity, and show confidence in your edits.
What Is a Semicolon?
At its core, a semicolon (;) is a connector. It links two closely related ideas in a single sentence. Think of it as punctuation glue: stronger than a comma, not as final as a period.
But to use it correctly, there are a few ground rules:
Rule 1: The Pie Test
Each side of the semicolon has to be a complete sentence with its own subject and verb.
- I love pie; I do not love cake.
- It is true that it’s Sam’s fault; it’s also true that it’s Sally’s fault.
Rule 2: No Conjunctions Allowed
If you’re already using and, but, or yet, you don’t need a semicolon.
- I love pie, but I do not love cake.
- It is true that it’s Sam’s fault, but it’s also true that it’s Sally’s fault.
Rule 3a: Keep It Connected
This one’s a little subjective. A semicolon is meant to show connection. If the two sentences don’t have a clear link, a period is the safer choice.
- I love pie. I don’t like riding bikes, so I often take my car to the store to get the pie.
- It is true that it’s Sam’s fault. It’s true that the law places the burden on Sally even though Sam was involved.
Some court reporters prefer to avoid the subjectivity and just use periods. That’s fine! But when the connection is clear, a semicolon is, in Margie’s words, “preferable and more sophisticated.”
Rule 3b: Parallel Parking for Sentences
Semicolons work best when both sides of the sentence are balanced in structure.
- I love pie. I don’t love cake because it’s dense and gives me a tummy ache.
- I love pie; I do not love cake.
- It is true that it’s Sam’s fault; it is also true that it’s Sally’s fault.
Conjunctive Adverbs, The Fancy Connectors
Another place where semicolons shine is before conjunctive adverbs—words like however, therefore, moreover, in fact, hence, thus, plus. These words link two complete thoughts, and they need a semicolon before them when they’re joining independent clauses.
Examples:
- I love pie; however, I do not love cake.
- It is true that it’s Sam’s fault; in fact, it’s also true that it’s Sally’s fault.
Margie’s tip: A conjunctive adverb is a word that can start a sentence but never start a conversation. (You’d never open a chat by saying, “However…”).
Quick note: Sometimes a comma follows the adverb. If the adverb is longer than two syllables (however, therefore, moreover), use a comma. Short ones (so, hence) don’t need it.
- I was hungry; therefore, I baked a pie.
- She was tired; hence she went home early.
If the adverb is tucked inside the sentence rather than at the beginning of the clause, you don’t need the semicolon.
- I love pie; I do not love cake however.
- It is true that it’s Sam’s fault; it’s also in fact true that it’s Sally’s fault.
Lists Gone Wild
Semicolons are also lifesavers when you’re working with complicated lists, especially lists that already contain commas. Without semicolons, these lists turn into a confusing mess.
Examples:
- I’ve lived in Seattle, Wa.; Portland, Or.; Pine Bush, N.Y.; and Le Perray, France.
- I visited Dr. Solomon, a cardiologist; Dr. Banks, a general surgeon; and Dr. Rosset, a psychologist.
Notice how the semicolons make it clear where one list item ends and the next begins. Without them, that last sentence could easily be misread as a visit to six doctors instead of three.
Why Scopists Should Care, Clarity Is Everything
In transcript editing, punctuation isn’t decoration, it’s navigation. The way you punctuate determines whether testimony is clear or confusing.
Semicolons are especially helpful when you’re dealing with:
- Long or complicated witness statements
- Sentences with multiple moving parts
- Places where you want to show connection without cluttering with extra words
Using a semicolon demonstrates confidence. It says, “I understand this sentence, and I know exactly how to present it clearly.” That confidence not only improves readability but also elevates the professionalism of your work.
When Not to Use a Semicolon, The Danger Zone
Like any tool, semicolons can be misused. Here are the main pitfalls:
- Don’t use it between a dependent and an independent clause.
- ? Because the attorney objected; the judge agreed.
- ? Because the attorney objected, the judge agreed.
- Don’t use it as a stand-in for a colon.
- ? She only had one goal; to win the case.
- ? She only had one goal: to win the case.
Don’t toss semicolons in just to sound fancy. They’re for clarity, not flair.
You’ve Got This
Semicolons aren’t pretentious; they’re purposeful. You don’t need to use them in every paragraph, but knowing how and when to use them gives you more control over your writing and editing. For scopists and transcript editors, that means cleaner transcripts, stronger client trust, and more polished final work.
So the next time you’re caught between a comma and a period, take a breath. The semicolon might be exactly the pause you need.
Bonus Tip from Coralie, The Artistry Angle
Think of the semicolon as a thoughtful pause, not a full stop. It’s the glue that holds two strong ideas together. I often tell my students that when they feel tempted to drop in a comma because the two sentences “belong” together, pause and check: are both sides independent clauses? If so, that’s your moment to use a semicolon.
What I love about this is that it honors both grammar and intuition. You’re following the rules, but you’re also listening to the rhythm of the sentence. That’s where the artistry of editing begins.
