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Scully Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Darn Semicolon
I know you use a semicolon to join 2 related independent clauses. But in a paragraph, aren't all the sentences related in some way and thus qualify for semicolons?
Top answer
Yes, you are right in that the sentences are all related. But, as in human families, some relationships are closer than others. One way I often look at it: if I'd really like the two clauses to be in the same sentence but can't figure out which conjunction to use (or if it would make it just too long), I use a semicolon.
- Yes, you are right in that the sentences are all related.
- But, as in human families, some relationships are closer than others.
- One way I often look at it: if I'd really like the two clauses to be in the same sentence but can't figure out which conjunction to use (or if it would make it just too long), I use a semicolon.
- Some academic writers look down on the use of semicolons as pretentious.
- I rather like them, myself, but it is really a matter of style rather than correctness.
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1 Answers
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Yes, you are right in that the sentences are all related. But, as in human families, some relationships are closer than others. One way I often look at it: if I'd really like the two clauses to be in the same sentence but can't figure out which conjunction to use (or if it would make it just too long), I use a semicolon.
Some academic writers look down on the use of semicolons as prete
Some academic writers look down on the use of semicolons as prete
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