Re:On Semicolons and the Rules of Writing
by logicallee on Saturday July 14, 2018 @11:47AM
(#17530771)
you mention quite a formal list (introduced by a colon) but it also serves well in simple lists:
The dinner was attended by Ms. A, the President of the Board of Education, Mr. B, the Vice-President, and other dignitaries.
Becomes much clearer when expressed
The dinner was attended by Ms. A, the President of the Board of Education; Mr. B, the Vice-President; and other dignitaries.
and is allowed in this construct though rare. Basically, whenever there is a comma inside a comma-separated term you can turn the higher-level commas into semicolons to indicate this. Makes things super-clear.
The dinner was attended by Ms. A, the President of the Board of Education, Mr. B, the Vice-President, and other dignitaries.
Becomes much clearer when expressed
The dinner was attended by Ms. A, the President of the Board of Education; Mr. B, the Vice-President; and other dignitaries.
and is allowed in this construct though rare. Basically, whenever there is a comma inside a comma-separated term you can turn the higher-level commas into semicolons to indicate this. Makes things super-clear.