Using a semicolon between independent clauses

   MT Reference Style Guide  >  Medical Transcription Grammar, Usage and Style  >  Punctuation  >  Colons and Semicolons  >  Using a semicolon between independent clauses

Between independent clauses when and, but, or, or nor are omitted

When a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, or nor) is omitted between two independent clauses, use a semicolon and not a comma to separate the clauses.

The patient presents complaining of fatigue; walking from one room to the next exhausts her.
The study showed that 60% of patients prefer hormone replacement therapy; the rest prefer alternative treatments.

If the clauses are not closely related, treat them as separate sentences.

Thank you for your letter of April 10, 2011; your concerns have been referred to the accounts receivable department.
BETTER: Thank you for your letter of April 10, 2011. Your concerns have been referred to the accounts receivable department.

Strictly speaking, the omission of but between two independent clauses requires the use of a semicolon between the clauses. However, when the clauses are short, a comma is used to preserve the flow of the sentence.

Not only was the hospital coffee bad, it was cold.

Between independent clauses when and, but, or, or nor are included

A comma is normally used to separate two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. Under certain circumstances, a semicolon may be used.

Use a semicolon for a stronger break between clauses.

The committee was convinced that it could solve the problem if given the authority to do so, but no one would come forward with a plan that could be agreed upon in advance.
STRONGER BREAK: The committee was convinced that it could solve the problem if given the authority to do so; but no one would come forward with a plan that could be agreed upon in advance.