A semicolon marks a pause between a comma and a full stop.
The idea
Use it between closely related independent clauses or between list items that already contain commas. The following word normally starts in lowercase.
Examples
- La biblioteca cerró temprano; el personal preparaba una exposición.The library closed early; the staff were preparing an exhibition.
- El cielo se oscureció; pronto empezó a llover.The sky darkened; soon it began to rain.
- Había pocas entradas; decidimos reservarlas.There were few tickets; we decided to book them.
- En la cesta había peras maduras, de piel verde; higos frescos, de pulpa roja; y uvas pequeñas, sin semillas.The basket held ripe green-skinned pears; fresh red-fleshed figs; and small seedless grapes.
- El equipo visitó Cádiz, en la costa; Mérida, en el interior; y León, en el norte.The team visited Cádiz on the coast; Mérida inland; and León in the north.
- La primera mesa reunía a docentes, familias y estudiantes; la segunda, a artistas, vecinas y comerciantes.The first table brought together teachers, families and students; the second, artists, neighbours and traders.
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Watch out
Do not put one between a subject and its verb; a full stop can also separate independent clauses.
Try it yourself
Which mark can connect these closely related clauses? El tren salió tarde ___ llegamos de noche. (punto y coma / dos puntos)
Show answer or example answer
punto y coma
punto y coma links the delayed departure to the late arrival.
Which mark separates complex list items that contain commas? Trajeron pan, recién hecho ___ queso, de cabra ___ y fruta, de temporada. (punto y coma / punto)
Show answer or example answer
punto y coma
punto y coma makes the three food groups visible despite their internal commas.
After the semicolon, should the next word begin with a capital or lowercase letter? El suelo estaba mojado; ___aminamos despacio. (minúscula / mayúscula)
Show answer or example answer
minúscula
minúscula gives caminamos: the semicolon does not start a new sentence.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Which mark can connect these closely related clauses? El tren salió tarde ___ llegamos de noche. (punto y coma / dos puntos)
Which mark separates complex list items that contain commas? Trajeron pan, recién hecho ___ queso, de cabra ___ y fruta, de temporada. (punto y coma / punto)
After the semicolon, should the next word begin with a capital or lowercase letter? El suelo estaba mojado; ___aminamos despacio. (minúscula / mayúscula)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write two related clauses and a complex list using semicolons.