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JJDouglas Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Is this correct punctuation?
"The book tells a wonderful tale; that of four river-bankers who get into various adventures."
Is the second clause set off by the correct punctuation? Or would a comma, full stop or em-dash be more appropriate? Theoretically, could all be used? I know that "that" can be a subordinate conjunction, but I don't think it is in this case and the second clause is independent. Therefore, a semicolon or full stop would be the better choice. Is this right?
Is the second clause set off by the correct punctuation? Or would a comma, full stop or em-dash be more appropriate? Theoretically, could all be used? I know that "that" can be a subordinate conjunction, but I don't think it is in this case and the second clause is independent. Therefore, a semicolon or full stop would be the better choice. Is this right?
Top answer
Hi I'm afraid I'm going to suggest something different: the colon It's the right mark when your follow-on clause is saying: this is precisely what I'm going to tell you next about the subject But it's going out of fashion so - hey, use the dash Use the colon when being formal, use the dash otherwise. If it's just a gentle break, as if for breath, use the comma. That's what I'd say Dave
- Hi I'm afraid I'm going to suggest something different: the colon It's the right mark when your follow-on clause is saying: this is precisely what I'm going to tell you next about the subject But it's going out of fashion so - hey, use the dash Use the colon when being formal, use the dash otherwise.
- If it's just a gentle break, as if for breath, use the comma.
- That's what I'd say Dave
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3 Answers
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Hi
I'm afraid I'm going to suggest something different: the colon
It's the right mark when your follow-on clause is saying: this is precisely what I'm going to tell you next about the subject
But it's going out of fashion so - hey, use the dash
Use the colon when being formal, use the dash otherwise. If it's just a gentle break, as if for breath, use the comma.
I'm afraid I'm going to suggest something different: the colon
It's the right mark when your follow-on clause is saying: this is precisely what I'm going to tell you next about the subject
But it's going out of fashion so - hey, use the dash
Use the colon when being formal, use the dash otherwise. If it's just a gentle break, as if for breath, use the comma.
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Thank you for your reply.
I had thought of using a colon before actually. I suppose it is the best option. I take it colons don't have the same rule as semicolons, in that both clauses either side need to be independent?
Also, would you say that the second clause in my example, "that of four river-bankers...", is independent? I can't decide if it is or not. "That" would be the su
I had thought of using a colon before actually. I suppose it is the best option. I take it colons don't have the same rule as semicolons, in that both clauses either side need to be independent?
Also, would you say that the second clause in my example, "that of four river-bankers...", is independent? I can't decide if it is or not. "That" would be the su
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Hi
Yes I see. To get the punctuation to follow your grammar, the comma is right there. In story telling, I think the semi-colon would be too strong:
- The book tells a wonderful tale, that of four river-bankers who get into various adventures
The second clause isn't independent so, yes, I have to agree. I suppose I was thinking of:
- The book tells a wonderfu
Yes I see. To get the punctuation to follow your grammar, the comma is right there. In story telling, I think the semi-colon would be too strong:
- The book tells a wonderful tale, that of four river-bankers who get into various adventures
The second clause isn't independent so, yes, I have to agree. I suppose I was thinking of:
- The book tells a wonderfu
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