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# Semicolon use is plummeting; most students don’t know how to use them
- URL: https://goodoil.news/semicolon-use-is-plummeting-most-students-dont-know-how-to-use-them/
- Published: 2025-05-26T23:42:59.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-27T02:30:15.000Z
- Description: A 50 percent decline in semicolon usage over two decades.
- Author: Centrist
- Tags: News

Summarised by [Centrist](https://centrist.nz/?ref=goodoil.news)

**The semicolon is vanishing from British writing; it once connected complex thoughts with elegance and clarity. Now it hovers on the brink of extinction.** 

**A new survey by Babbel reveals its usage has dropped sharply; confusion appears to be the driving force.**

In partnership with the London Student Network, Babbel surveyed UK students and analysed literary trends; the results point to a 50 percent decline in semicolon usage over two decades. 

In 1781, one appeared every 90 words; by 2000, that dropped to once every 205; today, you’ll find only one every 390 words.

The quiz, co-authored by linguist Lisa McLendon, tested real-world punctuation scenarios; students scored just 49 percent on average; over half didn’t know when to replace a comma with a semicolon.

Though only 11 percent said they use semicolons often, 67 percent believe they still have value; this suggests a hesitation to misuse rather than an outright dismissal. 

As Babbel’s Sofia Zambelli put it: “Our findings reveal that the semicolon is an ‘endangered’ punctuation mark; abandoned by many British writers who might have been expected to showcase its value; misunderstood by younger generations.”

[**Read more over at Babbel**](https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/when-to-use-a-semicolon?ref=goodoil.news)

Image: Mauricio Balvanera

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