Did I use a semicolon correctly?

Question

here are the 2 sentences (i'm writing an autobiographical essay)

1) "I am an aquarius; strong-willed, intelligent, sensitive, and enthusiastic."

2) "My name doesn't have an interesting story behind it or a hidden meaning; my parents simply liked the name. "

Thanks!

Answer 1

I would agree with frogger.

I'd use a colon for the first one, since the second part of the sentence exemplifies the first. That is, you're explaining what 'aquarius' means (or at least, the significance it has)

In the second case, the two statements are closely-linked and so a semi-colon is appropriate - although not essential.

Answer 2

I agree with Lawyer, except that  your first sentence could take either the dash or a colon (my habit is the dash).

Semicolons are used between two independent clauses (two complete sentences) that are closely related.

Answer 3

For 1, I'd probably use a colon because you're listing, but you'd have to check that out with a teacher or something. Both ways look right to me, so I'd get that checked out

For 2, you used that right.

Answer 4

You used it wrong in both instances.

I am an aquarius, strong-willed, intelligent, sensitive and enthusiastic.

My name doesn't have an interesting story behind it or a hidding meaning.  My parents simply liked the name.

Answer 5

In the first one, it is used incorrectly (and Aquarius needs to be capitalized!); it should be a comma.

In the second sentence, you used the semicolon correctly.

Answer 6

You're certainly getting some varied opinions.  Here's mine:

In the first sentence, the semicolon is incorrect. I would use an em dash: --

The second sentence is fine as is.