Here's why:
* Semicolons separate independent clauses: A semicolon is used to join two complete sentences that are closely related in meaning. The word "such" typically introduces a dependent clause, not an independent one.
* "Such" introduces a dependent clause: It often starts a clause that needs to be attached to an independent clause to be grammatically complete.
Example:
* Incorrect: She was tired; such as the long walk.
* Correct: She was tired from the long walk.
When you might use a semicolon with "such":
There are very specific circumstances where you could use a semicolon with "such," but it's not common:
* When "such" introduces a list of items: If you use "such as" to introduce a list of items, you might use a semicolon to separate the items if each item is itself a complete sentence. However, this is often more confusing than necessary.
Example:
* Possible but awkward: She has traveled to many places; such as Italy, which is known for its art; Spain, which is known for its history; and France, which is known for its food.
* Better: She has traveled to many places, such as Italy, Spain, and France.
In general, it's safer to avoid using a semicolon before "such" unless you're absolutely certain about the grammatical structure of your sentence.