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[TL] Learning to Write - Semicolon

Blogs > EsX_Raptor
Post a Reply
EsX_Raptor
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States2801 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-09-24 18:47:06
May 11 2009 05:09 GMT
#1
[image loading]


Note - Since this was really short, I took some of my sleep-time to write this second guide. This will teach you the correct way to use semicolons so that you can get over the myth that their use is mysterious and complicated. They're easy!

Semicolons

A semicolon is a punctuation mark that links closely related ideas. It allows writers to emphasize the relationships between elements of a sentence, often using dramatic pauses to direct the reader's attention to the most important ideas. Notice how a semicolon directs our attention in the following example:

"My life has been incredible; I don't believe a word of it," wrote Katherine Anne Porter.

________________________________________________________________________________

SEMICOLONS WITH CLOSELY RELATED MAIN CLAUSES

Why use semicolons? Sometimes we want to join two main clauses to form a complete sentence in order to indicate their close relationship. We can connect them with a comma and a coordinating conjunction like or, but, or and. However, using those constructions too often can make your writing cumbersome. Instead you can omit the comma and coordinating conjunction, and insert a semicolon between the two clauses.
Semicolons can join only clauses that are grammatically equal. In other words, they join main clauses only to other main clauses, not to phrases or subordinate clauses. Look at the following examples:

Incorrect Gloria's new weightlifting program will help her recover from knee surgery [main clause]; doing a series of squats and presses with a physical therapist. [participial phrase]

Incorrect Gloria's new weightlifting program will help her regain strength in her knee [main clause]; which required surgery after she injured it skiing. [subordinate clause]

Correct Gloria's new weightlifting program will help her recover from knee surgery [main clause]; a physical therapist leads her through a series of squats and presses. [main clause]

COMMON ERRORS

Main clauses connected with conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases

Closely related main clauses sometimes use a conjunctive adverb (such as however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, thus, meanwhile, nonetheless, otherwise, rather) or a transition (in fact, for example, that is, for instance, in addition, in other words, on the other hand, even so) to indicate the relationship between them. When the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb or a transition, a semicolon is needed to join the other two clauses. This sentence pattern is frequently used; therefore, it pays to learn how to punctuate it correctly.

Incorrect (comma splice) The police and city officials want to crack down on drug use at raves, however, their efforts have been unsuccessful so far.

Correct The police and city officials want to crack down on drug use at raves; however, their efforts have been unsuccessful so far.

The semicolon separates the second main clause from the first. Note that a comma is also needed to separate however from the rest of the second clause.

Incorrect (comma splice) The poster design left much to be desired, for example, the title was printed in garish red, orange, and green.

Correct The poster design left much to be desired; for example, the title was printed in garish red, orange, and green.

Note that in addition to the semicolon, a comma separates for example from the rest of the second clause.

Remember: Main clauses that use a conjunctive adverb or a transitional phrase require a semicolon to join the clauses.

Do not use a semicolon to introduce quotations

Use a comma or a colon instead.

Incorrect Robert Frost's poem "Mending Wall" contains this line; "Good fences make good neighbors."

Correct Robert Frost's poem "Mending Wall" contains this line: "Good fences make good neighbors."

Correct Robert Frost's poem "Mending Wall" contains this line, "Good fences make good neighbors."

Do not use a semicolon to introduce lists.

Incorrect William Shakespeare wrote four romance plays at the end of his career; The Tempest, The Winter's Tale, Cymbeline, and Pericles.

Correct William Shakespeare wrote four romance plays at the end of his career: The Tempest, The Winter's Tale, Cymbeline, and Pericles.

________________________________________________________________________________

SEMICOLONS TOGETHER WITH COMMAS

When an item in a series already includes a comma, adding more commas to separate it from the other items will only confuse the reader. Use semicolons instead of commas between items in a series that have internal punctuation.

Confusing The church's design competition drew entries from as far away as Gothenberg, Sweden, Caracas, Venezuela, and Athens, Greece.

Clearer The church's design competition drew entries from as far away as Gothenberg, Sweden; Caracas, Venezuela; and Athens, Greece.

THE END

________________________________________________________________________________

Links:
  • Comma
  • Semicolon


EsX_Raptor
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States2801 Posts
May 11 2009 05:14 GMT
#2
alright, that's it for me. im going to sleeeeeep...
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11552 Posts
May 11 2009 05:22 GMT
#3
i american. no use grammer
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
JWD
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States12607 Posts
May 11 2009 05:36 GMT
#4
I support this blog! Grammar FTW!
✌
ghostWriter
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States3302 Posts
May 11 2009 05:37 GMT
#5
lolwut?
u no useing capitalsation and u say "learning to write"?
is funy...
Sullifam
Avidkeystamper
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States8552 Posts
May 11 2009 05:38 GMT
#6
How did you manage to find those big pictures is beyond me; they are the most striking part of this blog.
Jaedong
Jayme
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States5866 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-05-11 05:40:35
May 11 2009 05:39 GMT
#7
Yes! Reading it with the comma blog as pretty much solved all my issues with this... though I will also loose sleep correcting my writing now :/

Thanks sir.

On May 11 2009 14:38 Avidkeystamper wrote:
How you managed to find those big pictures is beyond me; they are the most striking part of this blog.

Python is garbage, number 1 advocate of getting rid of it.
Avidkeystamper
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States8552 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-05-11 05:48:44
May 11 2009 05:48 GMT
#8
On May 11 2009 14:39 Jayme wrote:
Yes! Reading it with the comma blog as pretty much solved all my issues with this... though I will also loose sleep correcting my writing now. :/

Thanks sir.

Show nested quote +
On May 11 2009 14:38 Avidkeystamper wrote:
How you managed to find those big pictures is beyond me; they are the most striking part of this blog.


Your move.
Jaedong
Kentor *
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States5784 Posts
May 11 2009 05:59 GMT
#9
okay now go over the 12 tenses
Kinky
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
United States4126 Posts
May 11 2009 06:02 GMT
#10
I've always had problems deciding when to use semicolons
It just seems so confusing to me.
PH
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6173 Posts
May 11 2009 06:45 GMT
#11
Thank you.

Semicolons confuse me sometimes, even, so I try to phrase my sentences to avoid using them unless I know I'll need them in advance.
Hello
ShadowDrgn
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States2497 Posts
May 11 2009 07:02 GMT
#12
I use semicolons often; they are awesome.
Of course, you only live one life, and you make all your mistakes, and learn what not to do, and that’s the end of you.
{CC}StealthBlue
Profile Blog Joined January 2003
United States41117 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-05-11 07:34:11
May 11 2009 07:33 GMT
#13
ths; blog iz; Awsome,
"Smokey, this is not 'Nam, this is bowling. There are rules."
Hammy
Profile Joined January 2009
France828 Posts
May 11 2009 09:59 GMT
#14
Cool, I like this sort of blog.
Maybe that's because it sort of gives me the impression that I learned something useful while looking for e-sport related news
EsX_Raptor
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States2801 Posts
May 11 2009 10:56 GMT
#15
On May 11 2009 14:38 Avidkeystamper wrote:
How did you manage to find those big pictures is beyond me; they are the most striking part of this blog.

check my sig.

;p
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