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Rozarria Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Linking a complex sentence and a normal sentence with a semicolon
I haven't been able to break away from the traditional rules that elementary school engrained in me, so I was wondering if the sentence below is correct. It is a fusion of both a complex sentence (with a dependent and independent clause) and another sentence using a semicolon to link the two.
Conventionally (at least what my elementary school taught me), a sentence can be linked to another sentence by use of a comma. However, does it also apply to complex sentences?
Example:
Conventional:
"I have a deathly fear of the dark. When I was young, my grandparents would tell me scary stories."
What I want to do:
"I have a deathly fear of the dark; when I was young, my grandparents would tell me scary stories."
Three questions:
1.) As long as the first sentence is short, can I link the normal sentence with the second, complex sentence? In other words, are both sentences grammatically correct?
2.) If the first sentence were longer, would I be better off separating the two sentences with a period?
3.) Can I link TWO complex sentences via a semicolon?
Example: "When I was young, I had a deathly fear of the dark; every night, my grandparents would tell me scary stories."
Thanks.
-rozarria
Conventionally (at least what my elementary school taught me), a sentence can be linked to another sentence by use of a comma. However, does it also apply to complex sentences?
Example:
Conventional:
"I have a deathly fear of the dark. When I was young, my grandparents would tell me scary stories."
What I want to do:
"I have a deathly fear of the dark; when I was young, my grandparents would tell me scary stories."
Three questions:
1.) As long as the first sentence is short, can I link the normal sentence with the second, complex sentence? In other words, are both sentences grammatically correct?
2.) If the first sentence were longer, would I be better off separating the two sentences with a period?
3.) Can I link TWO complex sentences via a semicolon?
Example: "When I was young, I had a deathly fear of the dark; every night, my grandparents would tell me scary stories."
Thanks.
-rozarria
Top answer
Rozarria: There are 3 situations where semicolons are used: 1) Use a semicolon to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause restates the first or when the two clauses are of equal emphasis. This seems to be the rule that applies in your question. A semicolon is a "softer stop" than a period (full stop), and harder than the comma, so the sentences (independent clauses) must have a strong logical connection.
- Rozarria: There are 3 situations where semicolons are used: 1) Use a semicolon to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause restates the first or when the two clauses are of equal emphasis.
- This seems to be the rule that applies in your question.
- A semicolon is a "softer stop" than a period (full stop), and harder than the comma, so the sentences (independent clauses) must have a strong logical connection.
- The rule does not proscribe complex sentences bring joined by a semicolon, but the trap you can fall into is a run-on sentence.
- It is a matter of clarity and style.
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2 Answers
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Rozarria:
There are 3 situations where semicolons are used:
1) Use a semicolon to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause restates the first or when the two clauses are of equal emphasis.
This seems to be the rule that applies in your question. A semicolon is a "softer stop" than a period (full stop), and harder than the comma, so the sentences (independent clauses) must h
There are 3 situations where semicolons are used:
1) Use a semicolon to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause restates the first or when the two clauses are of equal emphasis.
This seems to be the rule that applies in your question. A semicolon is a "softer stop" than a period (full stop), and harder than the comma, so the sentences (independent clauses) must h
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Thanks, AlpheccaStars. I'll be careful not to create run-ons, but I'm glad I can link complex sentences together now. 
-roz
-roz
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