Marked decline in semicolons in English books, study suggests

Usage of punctuation down almost half in two decades as further research finds 67% of British students rarely use it

• Test your semicolon knowledge with our quiz below

Do not use semicolons," wrote Kurt Vonnegut, who averaged fewer than 30 a novel (about one every 10 pages). All they do is show you've been to college."

A study suggests UK authors are taking Vonnegut's advice to heart; the semicolon seems to be in terminal decline, with its usage in English books plummeting by almost half in two decades - from one appearing in every 205 words in 2000 to one use in every 390 words today.