Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses. Semicolons, however, must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "The government is plauged by gridlock; there appears to be no end in sight."

Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses. Note, however, that they must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is:

"powers; it is one of the most crucial portions of our system."

Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses; however they must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "There's a lot to get done today, but"

Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses; however they must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "We have to have a greater level of commitment to victory, otherwise"

Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses. In the sentence above, "it is also very important" is NOT an independent clause, and therefore should not be preceded by a semicolon in the sentence. The word "also" in the second clause is a clear clue that it is a dependent clause. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "It's extremely difficult to find a person that you care for a great deal;"

Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses; however, they must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "There will be a lot of trouble if you don't stop being rude;"

Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses; however they must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions should follow commas, not semicolons when connecting two independent clauses. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "Lamb is one of my absolute favorite foods,"

Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses. Semicolons can neither follow nor precede a dependent clause, and they must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "There's a lot to be done today; we all need to work together in order to accomplish everything."

Grammatically speaking, a semicolon and comma followed by a coordinating conjunction fulfill the same role in a sentence, which one you choose will depend on the context, the level of connection you wish to suggest between the content of the two sentences, and finally your personal prose style.

Semicolons are a mysterious, dangerous, and ultimately enchanting form of punctuation. Often misunderstood, and thus underappreciated, semicolons, if given some study and the trust that so often accompanies knowledge, can be used to enhance a writer's personal prose style, and clarify the meaning of all sorts of missives. They are primarily used to separate two related, independent clauses; however they must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "I really love summer, but I am not a big fan of humidity."

Coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) should never follow a semicolon.

Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses; however they must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "The old men were worn out; it had been a long day for them."

Semicolons can be replaced (grammatically speaking) without error by either a comma and an appropriate coordinating conjunction, or simply with a period, splitting the two clauses into separate sentences. Whichever you choose will depend on the meaning and level of connection between the clauses, and your personal style.