SC guide 4th edition CH 10 - semicolon usage

[itzdeepika]

Below are the examples given for the semicolon usage for items that themselves contain commas.

Wrong: I listen to Earth, wind & fire,wow, owls,and Blood,sweat & tears.
Right : I listen to Earth, wind & fire; wow, owls; and Blood,sweat & tears.

As per the definition: A semicolon is used to join 2 independent clauses.
So is Wow,owls a clause? and Blood,sweat & tears a clause?

Please explain..

[esledge]

As per the definition: A semicolon is used to join 2 independent clauses.
So is Wow,owls a clause? and Blood,sweat & tears a clause?

Please explain..

No "Wow, Owls" is not a clause, nor is "Blood, Sweat, and Tears."

There are two different and independent uses for the semicolon going on here:
(1) Joining two independent clauses that are related in meaning/theme.
(2) Separating list items that themselves have a comma.

For use (2), you don't also require situation (1).
For use (1), you don't also require situation (2).