Use of semi-colon

Question

By talking through your problems, at your own pace; you can gain the confidence to move forward in a positive way.

Is this usage accurate with the semi-colon ?

The only person who truly knows what is best for you is you; and the answers are already inside you.

It's a gradual process; but it works; and the benefits and effects can last forever.

Sometimes life feels like an uphill struggle; and no matter how we try to climb, something comes along to drag us down.

Are these all wrong with the semi-colon beside the conjunction in standard English ? I don't see any reason to use them in these sentences. They aren't mine...just online examples ?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Every one should be a comma. They are all wrong.

Matthew Lucas · Answer

A semicolon can only go between two independent clauses, without a conjunction.

Correct Sentences:

By talking through your problems at your own pace you can gain the confidence to move forward in a positive way.
The only person who truly knows what is best for you is you, and the answers are already inside you.
It's a gradual process, but it works; the benefits and effects can last forever.
Sometimes life feels like an uphill struggle: no matter how we try to climb, something comes along to drag us down.

You cannot use a conjunction after a semicolon, but you can use a subjunctive adverb, such as therefore and however, to describe the relationship between the two independent clauses. A colon (:) should be used between two independent clauses if the second independent clause is a restatement of the first.

Use of semi-colon

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