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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Which is correct? comma, semi-colon, or colon?
Which is correct?
1. I now understand this is how one should face all problems encountered in life, in a proactive fashion.
2. I now understand this is how one should face all problems encountered in life: in a proactive fashion.
Or
3. I now understand this is how one should face all problems encountered in life; in a proactive fashion.
Thanks for your help!
1. I now understand this is how one should face all problems encountered in life, in a proactive fashion.
2. I now understand this is how one should face all problems encountered in life: in a proactive fashion.
Or
3. I now understand this is how one should face all problems encountered in life; in a proactive fashion.
Thanks for your help!
Top answer
The semicolon is wrong: a semicolon separates two complete independent clauses. The comma and colon are both OK, but the main problem is that the end comment really deserves neither: the sentence should be restructured. I now understand that one should face all problems encountered in life in a proactive fashion.
- The semicolon is wrong: a semicolon separates two complete independent clauses.
- The comma and colon are both OK, but the main problem is that the end comment really deserves neither: the sentence should be restructured.
- I now understand that one should face all problems encountered in life in a proactive fashion.
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4 Answers
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The semicolon is wrong: a semicolon separates two complete independent clauses.
The comma and colon are both OK, but the main problem is that the end comment really deserves neither: the sentence should be restructured.
I now understand that one should face all problems encountered in life in a proactive fashion.
The comma and colon are both OK, but the main problem is that the end comment really deserves neither: the sentence should be restructured.
I now understand that one should face all problems encountered in life in a proactive fashion.
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Thank you so much! It is easier to read in the restructured format.
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This is where the almighty em-dash is used.
"I now understand this is how one should face all problems encountered in life — in a proactive fashion."
An em-dash indicates a sort of break in the clause, where the syntax is non-standard, and normal punctuation just isn't going to suffice.
Although a regular colon is normally reserved for listing items, you can also use it
"I now understand this is how one should face all problems encountered in life — in a proactive fashion."
An em-dash indicates a sort of break in the clause, where the syntax is non-standard, and normal punctuation just isn't going to suffice.
Although a regular colon is normally reserved for listing items, you can also use it
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