Once a staple of elegant writing and complex sentences, the semicolon is now teetering on the edge of extinction in modern American writing. The semicolon has long played a unique role in American writing, tracing its roots back to British punctuation practices of the 16th century. You’ll spot it ten times in The Declaration of Independence, more than 4,000 times in Moby-Dick, and over 1,500 times in Huckleberry Finn — despite Mark Twain’s supposed (and possibly exaggerated) dislike for the semicolon.
But times have changed.
New analysis from Babbel uncovers a stark decline: semicolon usage in American English books has dropped by 51% since the start of the 21st century. In fact, historical data shows this decline stretches much further. In 1800, American literature featured a semicolon every 110 words; by 2000, that had fallen to one every 187 words. Today, there’s just one semicolon every 378 words.
And it’s not just books. In May 2025, Babbel surveyed 2,000 young Americans aged 18–25 to find out what they really think – and know – about the semicolon. The results suggest the semicolon might not be dead, but it’s certainly misunderstood.
Key Findings From The May 2025 Semicolon Survey
- Around 1 in 8 young Americans (12%) say they never use a semicolon. Nearly 1 in 4 (23%) report rarely using it. Only 17% claim to frequently use the semicolon in their writing
- 1 in 7 young Americans (14%) were honest about not knowing how to use a semicolon correctly. Despite 69% of all respondents claiming to understand how to use it, 68% of total respondents answered a grammar test question on semicolon usage incorrectly, revealing a major gap between confidence and competence
- Although many seemingly don’t understand nor use it, the Babbel survey revealed that 59% of young Americans believe the semicolon still has value
- Grammar divides opinions: 35% admit to judging others for poor grammar, while as many (35%) say they don’t judge people for poor grammar — hinting at a cultural divide in how much value is placed on language precision. Men appear slightly more critical, with 37% admitting to judgment (14% judging harshly), compared to 33% of women (9% judging harshly)
Why Don’t People Use The Semicolon More?
Linguistic and cultural expert at Babbel, Esteban Touma, comments: “Punctuation makes a huge difference in conveying meaning and structuring discourse, with its rules varying from language to language. The semicolon is often considered difficult to master, particularly for those learning the English language. While exploring strong examples to highlight the usefulness and elegance of the semicolon, we found plenty of historical texts but relatively few from more recent times. This inspired Babbel to try and understand just what was going on with the semicolon in modern American English. Our findings suggest the semicolon is becoming an endangered punctuation mark; abandoned by contemporary American writers once expected to champion its use, and often misused and misunderstood by younger generations.
“Hope for the future of the semicolon comes from the majority of young Americans believing it to still have a value, and we agree. Our data shows that Gen Z isn’t rejecting the semicolon; rather, they are uncertain about its correct usage. We consistently witness how, when learning a language, understanding grammar and punctuation – often the less appreciated aspects of language-learning – results in more thoughtful communication, and makes speakers and writers more adept in expressing themselves clearly and accurately.”
Take The Semicolon Test
We’ve put together a quiz with grammarian Lisa McLendon, author of The Perfect English Grammar Workbook, to offer you the chance to test your semicolon skills. Whether you’re a grammar genius or just curious, challenge yourself and see how you stack up against the average.
Click here to take the quiz.
If the semicolon feels intimidating, remember: it’s never too late to learn.
The semicolon isn’t dead; it’s just waiting for a comeback!