Does a Complex Sentence Need a Semicolon? The Truth You Need to Know

Understanding Complex Sentences: What Are They Exactly?

Before diving into the semicolon debate, let’s first clarify what a complex sentence is. A complex sentence is one that contains at least one independent clause and one dependent clause. So, for example: "Although I wanted to go to the park, it started raining." The first part, "Although I wanted to go to the park," is dependent, while "it started raining" is independent.

Now, you might think that adding a semicolon to such a sentence would automatically make it more polished or sophisticated. But, hold on! Let’s break it down properly.

When to Use a Semicolon: The Basics

Semicolons are often misunderstood. They’re not as popular as commas or periods, but they serve a very important function. A semicolon can be used to separate two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. For example: "I wanted to go to the park; it started raining." See how it links those two ideas? A semicolon works great when you have two independent clauses that could stand alone as sentences but feel more connected together.

But, wait a minute! What about complex sentences? Do you need a semicolon there?

Do Complex Sentences Require Semicolons?

Here’s the thing: No, complex sentences don’t typically require semicolons. If you’ve got an independent clause and a dependent clause, you just need a comma. For instance: "Although I wanted to go to the park, it started raining." A semicolon? Nope, it would just be weird. I remember having a heated discussion with my friend Sarah about this. She’s all about the semicolons and tried to put one between "Although I wanted to go to the park" and "it started raining." I told her, "Trust me, it’s not right!" And I was right—a semicolon is unnecessary when a dependent clause is involved.

But then, what if both parts are independent?

When You Actually Do Need a Semicolon in a Complex Sentence

So here’s the tricky part. If your complex sentence has two independent clauses (and no dependent clause), then yes, you can use a semicolon. For example: "I wanted to go to the park; it started raining." Both "I wanted to go to the park" and "it started raining" can stand alone as separate sentences, and the semicolon works because the two ideas are closely connected.

A more real-world example could be: "I woke up late this morning; I missed the bus." Both parts are independent clauses, and they’re tightly linked, so a semicolon makes perfect sense here.

Why Some People Get Confused About Semicolons and Complex Sentences

You might be wondering why this topic even comes up. Well, I get it. Semicolons have a reputation for being tricky—and I can tell you, I used to get them totally wrong. For years, I was just randomly tossing them into sentences because I thought it sounded more “formal” or “correct.” But, spoiler alert, it wasn’t! I’ll never forget the time I submitted a paper in college, thinking I was nailing the punctuation, only to have my professor mark up my semicolon usage. She explained that I was using them in sentences that didn’t even need them.

So, is it essential to use a semicolon in a complex sentence? Only if both parts are independent clauses. Otherwise, it’s just overcomplicating things.

Conclusion: Semicolons in Complex Sentences – Keep It Simple

In conclusion, don’t stress about semicolons in complex sentences. If your sentence is combining an independent and a dependent clause, you just need a comma. But, if you’ve got two independent clauses, then a semicolon can be your best friend. Just remember to keep it simple and use it when it makes sense.

Honestly, as I was writing this, I had a bit of a flashback to my early days of writing. It’s easy to get caught up in punctuation rules, but the best advice is: don’t overthink it. When in doubt, keep the sentence flowing naturally. And, remember, punctuation is there to make your writing clearer—not to show off your grammar skills.

So, next time you're working with complex sentences, just make sure you know whether you’re dealing with independent or dependent clauses. And, maybe, don’t overuse that semicolon—it’s not always necessary!

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.