Did I use the semi colon correctly?

Question

This is for an essay i'm doing, and I want to make sure that I structured this sentence correctly (used the semi-colon correctly). Thanks :)

My eyes finally opened up to reality; revealing that diversity is a beautiful concept which has plenty to offer.

Answer 1

No, this really calls for a comma. If you want to do the same thought with a semi-colon: "My eyes finally opened up to reality; I saw that diversity . . .".

I tend to write in the fewest words appropriate, so I would say:

"My eyes finally opened up to reality: Diversity is . . ."

(There is some disagreement as to whether "diversity" should be capitalized in this situation. [The old rule was always to capitalize after a colon]. I think either way is right.)

Answer 2

As the others have already told you, a comma is used with a subordinate clause; a semicolon is used only when you have an independent clause.

To say it another way, if you could replace the semicolon with a period (capitalizing the next letter to be correct) and everything is still gramatically correct, then a semicolon may be used.

Semicolons are really rare in English usage these days.

By the way, your last sentence should read "that has plenty to offer" not "which has plenty to offer".

The proper use of "which" and "that" also often comes down to subordinate clauses. If you have a subordinate clause you can use "which": The house, which sits on the corner, is painted red. But if you don't have a subordinate clause, the proper word is that: The house that sits on the corner is painted red.

Answer 3

Since this is a complex sentence, the first sentence is the independent clause and the second is the subordinate, so a comma would be correct.

Answer 4

it should be a comma because the second clause is dependent. It doesn't make sense on its own with out the first clause.

A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses.

Answer 5

Ditto to what they said.