If it feels like you could use a comma or a period, you might want a semicolon; critically, both halves of the sentence should be able to stand as sentences on their own.

It's also sometimes used as a supercomma to delineate items in a list when the items include commas ("Edmonton, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Vancouver, B.C.")

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

When I've got to use a semicolon for that I realize I should use a bulleted list because people won't understand what a semicolon means.

[–] JayGray91@piefed.social 2 points 1 week ago

I learned its use as a supercomma while writing project reports for work. I've since adopt it for everyday posting when needed. Same with it's normal usage.

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

Terminates a SQL statement

[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today 3 points 1 week ago

It's being replaced with periods. Sometimes writers like shorter sentences.

[–] agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

To add a related clause; especially when it's not a complete sentence on its own.

[–] zero_spelled_with_an_ecks@programming.dev 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

That feels more like it calls for a comma; the "especially" transitions between the clauses. https://linguaholic.com/linguablog/comma-before-especially/

[–] agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago

Yeah, I would usually use a comma there but I was trying to illustrate; it's a lot easier to tell when a semi-colon feels right than to contrive a sentence to deliberate it.