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Ghost Writer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Comma and semicolon dualism
Sometimes I will be creating a sentence and put a semicolon in; this leads to a new sentence. But would it be correct to use the semicolon is such a way? When using "this" or "that" after a colon or semicolon, what is the correct way to do so?
Example: "Stop sweating over other people's writing, unless they're asking. Concentrate on your own; that's what we're here for."
Should the semicolon have been a colon? Is there a dual exception?
Example: "Stop sweating over other people's writing, unless they're asking. Concentrate on your own; that's what we're here for."
Should the semicolon have been a colon? Is there a dual exception?
Top answer
Semicolon use A semicolon following an independent clause [a complete sentence] signals that what follows is also an independent clause whose meaning is of equal importance to the first. Joining two clauses with a semicolon alone is appropriate only when the clauses are closely related and the relationship is clear. If they are not closely related, you probably should make them separate sentences.
- Semicolon use A semicolon following an independent clause [a complete sentence] signals that what follows is also an independent clause whose meaning is of equal importance to the first.
- Joining two clauses with a semicolon alone is appropriate only when the clauses are closely related and the relationship is clear.
- If they are not closely related, you probably should make them separate sentences.
- RULE: Although an independent clause following a semicolon is essentially a complete sentence, it never begins with a capital letter.
- Unlike a coordinating conjunction [ and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet ), a conjunctive adverb [ however, nevertheless, accordingly, besides, indeed, similarly, then, thus, therefore, that is and others , or a transitional expression [ "in fact" or "for example" ] cannot be used with a comma to join two independent clauses.
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8 Answers
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Semicolon use
A semicolon following an independent clause [a complete sentence] signals that what follows is also an independent clause whose meaning is of equal importance to the first. Joining two clauses with a semicolon alone is appropriate only when the clauses are closely related and the relationship is clear. If they are not closely related, you probably should make them separate
A semicolon following an independent clause [a complete sentence] signals that what follows is also an independent clause whose meaning is of equal importance to the first. Joining two clauses with a semicolon alone is appropriate only when the clauses are closely related and the relationship is clear. If they are not closely related, you probably should make them separate
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I know those things already. That source gives basic semicolon insight.
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Hi,
Here's a general and subjective comment about semi-colons and colons.
The first time I taught these to my class, I found that everyone's writing became full of them. They appeared in just about every sentence.
Now I tell people that one semi-colon and one colon per essay is enough, and maybe even too much.
Best wishes, Clive
Here's a general and subjective comment about semi-colons and colons.
The first time I taught these to my class, I found that everyone's writing became full of them. They appeared in just about every sentence.
Now I tell people that one semi-colon and one colon per essay is enough, and maybe even too much.
Best wishes, Clive
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I understand the concept that too many semicolons can make a writing look like it came from the late 1800s.
I'm interested in the dualism. I want something to add to my writing toolkit. If the dualism doesn't exist, that's all I need to know. I'm not looking for a subjective opinion.
I'm interested in the dualism. I want something to add to my writing toolkit. If the dualism doesn't exist, that's all I need to know. I'm not looking for a subjective opinion.
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Despite this, if you look at advanced reading exam papers, the texts abound in dashes, colons... .
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Can I put 2 commas in one sentence? e.g:
Firstly, If you've done your job, you'll go.
Firstly, If you've done your job, you'll go.
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Hi,
Can I put 2 commas in one sentence? e.g: Firstly, If you've done your job, you'll go.
Yes, more than one comma is OK. ( In your example, don't capitalize 'if'. )
Best wishes, Clive
Can I put 2 commas in one sentence? e.g: Firstly, If you've done your job, you'll go.
Yes, more than one comma is OK. ( In your example, don't capitalize 'if'. )
Best wishes, Clive
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Ghost WriterI understand the concept that too many semicolons can make a writing look like it came from the late 1800s.
I'm interested in the dualism. I want something to add to my writing toolkit. If the dualism doesn't exist, that's all I need to know. I'm not looking for a subjective opinion.
Besides answering posted questions, the e
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