A semicolon is primarily used in the following situations:
- To show a pronounced pause usually between independent clauses: This is the most common usage of a semicolon. It connects two closely related independent clauses without using a conjunction. For example: "I have a big exam tomorrow; I can't go out tonight."
The other options you mentioned are not correct uses of a semicolon:
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To show dialogue words borrowed from a source or a certain title: This is typically done using quotation marks, not semicolons.
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To show a small break between independent and dependent clauses: Semicolons are not used for this purpose; commas or conjunctions are typically used to connect dependent and independent clauses.
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To show a list of items or after the opening of a formal letter: Lists are generally punctuated with commas or, if the items are complex, semicolons (but not in the opening of a letter). The opening of a formal letter typically ends with a colon.
In summary, the correct usage for a semicolon is to indicate a pronounced pause between closely related independent clauses.
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