Semicolons with Items in a Series with Internal Punctuation
Jared Aragona
Semicolons with items in a series with internal punctuation: Use semicolons to separate items in a list that have internal commas.
Some of my favorite states to conduct research are California, a beach paradise, Louisiana, a food and drink paradise, Alaska, a glacier paradise, and Hawaii, an island paradise.
(Incorrect) – it is difficult to distinguish the items from the modifying phrases.
Some of my favorite states to conduct research are California, a beach paradise; Louisiana, a food and drink paradise; Alaska, a glacier paradise; and Hawaii, an island paradise.
(Correct) – the items and their modifying phrases are distinguishable.
The MLCKRB (Master List Code Key and Rule Book): An English Grammar & Style Handbook by Jared Aragona, CC BY 4.0