2.3分号(;)分号的作用介于句号与逗号之间,用分号隔开的两部分之间的关系,比用句号分开的紧密,但不及用逗号分开的紧密。分号一般有以下用法。

    1)用于并列分句之间,以分隔(通常)没有连词连接的主要从句,这些从句被认为是关系密切而属于一个句子。 例如:The temperature in the liver may be 105.l°F, while that under the tongue is 98.6°F;the temperature under the arm at 2 p.m.may be 99°F and 2 a.m.96.7°F;the rectal temperature is likely to be 0.5°F to 0.75°F above the oral.肝脏温度在华氏105.1°F,舌下为华氏98.6°F;下午2:00腋下温度为华氏99°F;清晨2:00腋下温度为华氏96.7°F;直肠温度比口腔温度要高0.5°F～0.75°F。

    2)用于for example,for instance,namely,that is(to say),in fact,i.e.,e.g.等词语引出的分句之前。例如:Florida is lowest,which may reflect the"healthy retiree"effect;that is,the tendency of healthy older people to retire to places like Florida while the less healthy remain home.佛罗里达州是发病率最低的地区,这可能反映了“健康退休者”效应; 健康的老年人退休后倾向于到佛罗里达州生活,而身体不健康的老人则留在家里 ......