英语分号的用法

英语的句号表示一条句子的终结，但有时当两个句子的关系紧密，我们不希望因为用了句号而打断了思路时，就会考虑用分号。英语分号停顿的时间比逗号长，比句号短。

下面是英语分号的用法：

1) 连接两个或多个完全独立的但是有紧密关系的分句
Frank wanted to go to the cinema; Betty did not want to go. 弗兰克想去看电影，贝蒂不想去。
I've told you what the situation is; you must act accordingly.　我已经把情况告诉你了，你得采取相应的行动。

[注:] 两个分句时，第二分句常可有过渡词，如 however、nevertheless 等。
Bill went to school as usual; however, Susan went to the beach. 比尔照常去上学了，但是苏珊却去了海边。
There was no news; nevertheless we went on hoping. 尽管毫无消息,我们仍抱着希望。
It doesn't seem ugly to me; on the contrary, I think it's rather beautiful. 我觉得它并不丑，恰恰相反，它挺美。

2) 当两个或两个以上等立的分句本身含有逗号，可用分号分隔开，避免读者阅读时混淆。
When we set off, it was quite warm; but before we had gone three miles, it began getting chilly. 我们出发时天气还很暖和，但走不到3英里天气就开始转凉了。
Now, at the end of 1955, people were marrying like flies; it is unlucky to marry in a leap year. 到了1955年年底，人们大批大批地结婚; 因为第二年是闰年，人们认为闰年结婚不吉利。

3) 当列举事物很多，则可用分号进行归类
The breakfast menu consisted of fruit juice or cereal; a boiled, fried, or poached egg; toast and marmalade; and a pot of tea of coffee. 早餐的菜单包括果汁和麦片粥; 煮旦、煎蛋或水煮荷包蛋；烤面包片和桔子果酱；一壶茶或者咖啡。