A new study shows that semicolon usage has dropped dramatically over the past 25 years. Commissioned by Babbel and supported by grammar expert Lisa McLendon, the research highlights a decrease in frequency from once every 205 words in 2000 to once every 390 words today.
Decline in Semicolon Usage Among British Students
McLendon’s research revealed that 67% of British students rarely or never use semicolons, and only 11% identified themselves as frequent users. More than half of students who took a 10-question quiz on semicolon usage failed to identify correct examples.
The findings reflect growing uncertainty and unfamiliarity with the punctuation mark—particularly among younger generations raised in the era of text messages and emojis.
Understanding the Role of the Semicolon in Modern Writing
According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, the semicolon is “a punctuation mark indicating a pause, typically between two main clauses, that is more pronounced than that indicated by a comma.” It is often used to:
- Link two independent but related clauses
- Clarify complex lists
- Avoid comma splices
Historical Significance and Polarising Opinions on the Semicolon
Invented in 1494 by Italian printer Aldus Pius Manutius, the semicolon has become what some call “marmite grammar”—either adored or avoided.
Author Lynne Truss once warned, “Many writers hooked on semicolons become an embarrassment to their families and friends.”
Some famous authors seem to agree. RL Stine reportedly uses just one semicolon per 200,000 words, and Cormac McCarthy included only one across nine novels after his debut.
EL James, author of the Fifty Shades trilogy, has been criticised for using commas where semicolons were needed.
Semicolons in Literature
Semicolons were once a favourite of literary giants like Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Mark Twain. Virginia Woolf used over 1,000 semicolons in Mrs. Dalloway to capture the character’s stream of consciousness.
Abraham Lincoln also expressed his admiration, stating, “I have a great respect for the semicolon; it’s a very useful little chap.” Today, authors such as Salman Rushdie, John Updike, and Donna Tartt are keeping the tradition alive, averaging 300 semicolons per 100,000 words.
Semicolon Usage Recovery
Data from Google Books Ngram Viewer highlights a notable shift in semicolon usage, which increased by 388% from 1800 to 2006, then dropped 45% by 2017. Since then, a 27% recovery by 2022 suggests a revival of interest in the punctuation, possibly reflecting a return to longer, more intricate forms of writing.
A novel entitled, A Place of Greater Safety, Hilary Mantel quotes Camille Desmoulins: “There’s nothing in this breathing world so gratifying as an artfully placed semicolon.”