# Semicolons

If possible, avoid using semicolons. In a few cases, a semicolon is preferred:

- When joining two closely related independent clauses where a period or a comma is not as
  effective.

  Recommended: You can easily test
  compatibility by computing the centroid; if it is on the opposite side of the
  planet, reverse the order of your vertices.
- When preceding a conjunctive adverb (like *therefore*) or a phrase
  (like *that is*) that joins two independent clauses.

  Recommended: This setup places the
  head-tracked node below the Main Camera; therefore, only the stereo cameras are
  affected by the user's head motion.

  Recommended: The URL from which a video
  ad loads; that is, the URL to use to fetch that video ad.
- When separating a series of long or complex items that contain their own punctuation.

  Recommended: If you don't have time,
  then focus on the improvements that will have the greatest benefit: what matters most
  to your users; what is most important to fix; and what is easy or feasible to
  fix in the available time.

  Recommended: Review your document one
  more time, checking for the following: present tense and active voice; typos,
  punctuation, and grammar; and whether you can shorten anything.

  Notice that in the final example, the second item in the list is itself a list.