unusual use of semicolon

Question

hi guys,

Need an expert opinion. I had a question on real GMAT with a new use of semicolons for me. The sentences looked like: Subject V1....; V2.....; V3....; and V4.... there were options where verbs were // and there were options with AND w/o AND at the end. Do we use semicolons in a similar way to commas?

Thanks.

raghavakumar85 · Answer

I think it is OK to use multiple semi-colons as long as the individual clauses after and before the semi colon are independent.

However, multiple semi colons are used in very rare cases where commas cannot be used.

Besides linking independent clauses, we can use semicolons to list items within a series. Semicolons will help set list items apart, especially when there is internal punctuation.

Wrong: The trip itinerary included San Diego, California, Denver, Colorado, Dallas, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois.
Right: The trip itinerary included: San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Dallas, Texas; and Chicago, Illinois.

This is my understanding

raghavakumar85 · Answer

The event is to feature three speakers: Smith, a logistics expert; Thomas, a marketing guru; and Underwood, the firm's CEO.

This is one more example I found...

malar · Answer

Well, looks like pretty much the same use as comma but with independent clauses. Many thanks!

raghavakumar85 · Answer

Was the question in your GMAT similar to these lines?? As far as I know, I don't see any other types of sentences where multiple semi colons are used..

jamifahad · Answer

As pointed above, use of multiple semi-colon is totally fine in a sentence.

I came across an article in NYTimes using this construction. Here's an excerpt:

No one else believes this — not credit markets, which have bid up interest rates on sovereign debt; not the International Monetary Fund, which has warned repeatedly that major banks appear undercapitalized; and not the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which last week forecast negative growth in the coming quarter for Germany, France and Italy, the euro zone’s three biggest economies.

schandok · Answer

I just revised the Odds and Ends chapter from MGMT SC. It also says as a minor usage

E.g: I listen to Earth, Wind & Fire; Wow, Owls; and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

unusual use of semicolon

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