How can semicolons be properly used in writing?

The proper use of semicolons in writing is primarily to separate independent clauses that are closely related in thought and could stand alone as separate sentences, but the author wishes to connect them more closely. When you place a semicolon between two independent clauses, it underscores the relationship between the ideas expressed in each clause, creating a smoother flow within the text.

For instance, the sentence "I wanted to go for a walk; it was raining heavily" illustrates how the semicolon connects two related thoughts without the need for a conjunction. Using a semicolon in this manner allows writers to create complex sentences that have a more nuanced meaning.

Introducing other options, separating independent clauses can be mistakenly done with introductory phrases or dependent clauses, which do not follow the correct grammatical structure for semicolons. A semicolon should not be used to join a dependent clause with an independent clause either, as this combination requires a different punctuation mark, typically a comma. Understanding this distinction helps clarify the correct application of semicolons in writing.