A semicolon is a punctuation mark (;) used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list.

A semicolon can take the place of a comma and coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses.

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with just a comma, which is grammatically incorrect.

This sentence contains a comma splice.

You can use a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction with a comma, or make them into separate sentences.

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without appropriate punctuation or conjunction.

You can correct a run-on sentence by adding a period, a semicolon, or a coordinating conjunction.

A semicolon can be used to separate items in a list when the items themselves contain commas.

This sentence correctly uses a semicolon to connect two related independent clauses.

A semicolon connects closely related independent clauses, while a colon introduces a list, explanation, or elaboration.