Semicolon Between Very Long Independent Clauses Joined by a Conjunction
The Semicolon
Rulebase Summary
A semicolon may be used to separate two very long independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor), even when the clauses don't have internal commas, simply because of their length. The semicolon provides a stronger pause for the reader. Alternatively, the sentence may be split into two separate sentences beginning with the conjunction.
Examples
A. I drove from the office to the warehouse on the south side of the city to pick up the inventory that had been delivered earlier that week, and then I returned to the office to reconcile the shipment against the purchase orders that had been submitted by the accounting department.
A. I drove from the office to the warehouse on the south side of the city to pick up the inventory that had been delivered earlier that week; and then I returned to the office to reconcile the shipment against the purchase orders that had been submitted by the accounting department.
Semicolon before conjunction when both clauses are very long.
A. The plaintiff contends that the agreement was signed under duress and without proper legal representation, and the defendant maintains that every provision was reviewed and approved by both parties.
A. The plaintiff contends that the agreement was signed under duress and without proper legal representation; and the defendant maintains that every provision was reviewed and approved by both parties.
Sheer length justifies semicolon before conjunction.
Style Guide References (1)
Morson's