semi-colons;

[DrZoidberg]

Here's a question of taste rather than grammar. Do you think semi-colons are perfectly fine; do you think they are best avoided?

[Devil Ledbetter]

Here's a question of taste rather than grammar. Do you think semi-colons are perfectly fine; do you think they are best avoided?
I think semi-colons are fabulous. I get so tired of seeing choppy sentences or comma splices served up by those who fear and loath the semi-colon.

[Wayne K]

I use them like I use adverbs: Sparingly.

[Devil Ledbetter]

I use them like I use adverbs: Sparingly.
I used them like beer: Generously.

I also get tired of people overusing the M-dash while snubbing the semi-colon.

[Chris P]

Just like any grammar tool they are fine when used correctly; they clarify the writer's meaning.

[Fallen]

I'd wear some.

[Chase]

I agree with Fallen; semicolons would make stunning tattoos.

Devil is also spot on (okay, a spot and a squiggle on) that many loathing the semicolon actually fear it; hateful rants have always been easier and more fun than education.

[veinglory]

Sparingly or not, the caveat is that they should be used correctly.

[kct webber]

Sparingly or not, the caveat is that they should be used correctly.

True. I think that's the crux of the issue, really, though. People are scared to death of the thing because they don't have a clue if they're using them correctly. It's not that hard, but... *shrugs*

I like them. I love them. They are my friend. I don't use them when they're not needed, of course, but I certainly won't hesitate to use one. I'm always slightly happy when I get to use one, for some reason. Make sense? No. I don't care. They make me happy and none of you can change it!

(:tongue)

[PeterL]

I am surprised that everyone who has voted (16 as of now) has agreed with my opinion, that they are just fine. I'll have to reconsider my position.

[Shadow_Ferret]

Funny, but I just went through my WIP and found I had a plethora of semicolons and proceeded to search and replace. I'm sure I had a reason for putting them in in the first place, but on rereading, I found that I didn't like the rhythm they put in, so I either made them full sentences or added a conjunction (conjunction junction, what's your function?).


I also get tired of people overusing the M-dash while snubbing the semi-colon.

Not interchangeably, I hope.

[Devil Ledbetter]

Not interchangeably, I hope.The writers I edit for use the M-dash as a one-size-fits-all punctuation mark, including using it instead of a semi-colon. It's maddening*.




*Then again, if they knew better and didn't need my services, I might not have this great job.

[bonitakale]

I'd be inclined to use the semicolon in narrative or nonfiction, the em-dash in hurried, informal speech.

Captain, it is not logical for you to beam down to the planet; there is an army of beautiful women waiting to kill you.

Yes, Spock, but that's why I'm going-- I have to confront them myself. Closely.

[Devil Ledbetter]

I think it's fine to use semi-colons in dialog.

[veinglory]

You certainly don't have to use them. There are other options. But I think they are sometimes the most elegant of the options.

[Jamesaritchie]

In fiction, a semicolon, NOT semi-colon, usually means you've written a lousy sentence. Certainly a sentence that can be improved. And writing semi-colon probably means you should avoid them at all costs. If you can't spell it, you shouldn't use it.

[Devil Ledbetter]

In fiction, a semicolon, NOT semi-colon, usually means you've written a lousy sentence. Certainly a sentence that can be improved. And writing semi-colon probably means you should avoid them at all costs. If you can't spell it, you shouldn't use it.I completely disagree that a semicolon means you've written a lousy sentence that requires a do-over. Since when is fiction supposed to be semicolon-free? That's possibly one of dumbest opinions I've ever read at AW, and I've seen some doozies.

Your comment on the spelling is a cheap shot. There's another poster here who continually spells sentence sentance; why don't you go tell her she shouldn't be allowed to write sentences if she can't spell the word?

[PeterL]

In fiction, a semicolon, NOT semi-colon, usually means you've written a lousy sentence. Certainly a sentence that can be improved. And writing semi-colon probably means you should avoid them at all costs. If you can't spell it, you shouldn't use it.

Thanks for the laugh.

[Chase]

In fiction, a semicolon, NOT semi-colon, usually means you've written a lousy sentence. Certainly a sentence that can be improved. And writing semi-colon probably means you should avoid them at all costs. If you can't spell it, you shouldn't use it.

Ha ha ha ha ha, the absolute king of grouchy old men . . . even when the truth is tarnished and the punches are more like windmilling.

[Lance_in_Shanghai]

Lovely use:
"We looked for three hours; nothing could be found."

Ignorant use:
"He rushed to the café and ate breakfast hurriedly; then he took a taxi to Whitehall Street to meet Ms. Marple."

Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are short and closely related. There is enough grey area here to fuel this droll discussion.

[Jennifer Robins]

I don't use them often but I had an editor remove all of them from my MS and told me never to use them at all. I won't mention the publisher but the edtiing was way over the top and it wasn't for my book An Author's Nightmare. The editing there was very easy and fair. I came to find out how different Editors can be.

[JRainey]

I use them sparingly in creative writing. I used to really go overboard with them, and one of my betas called me out on it.

Now analytical essays are another story... LOL! I'm still a little bit addicted to the semi-colon there.

[Matera the Mad]

Semicolons are useful members of society. I'm more worried about some of those unemployed commas that lollygag around on sentence corners.

[blacbird]

I've never had a problem with semi-colons, either reading or writing. I don't understand why some people do.

caw

[LynnKHollander]

I find them useful.

[Inkblot]

"In fiction, a semicolon, NOT semi-colon, usually means you've written a lousy sentence."

Nonsense. Semicolons are a matter of taste. Some people appreciate semicolon-free sentences; some people don't.

[Jack Newcastle]

In fiction, a semicolon, NOT semi-colon, usually means you've written a lousy sentence.

Ouch. I didn't realize Graham Greene was such a lousy writer. Wonder what would now be said about his occasional use of two semicolons in a row.

I find them charming, as I do colons, as I do the quaint use of the hyphen in the former spellings of to-day, to-morrow, and week-end.

Regards,

Jack

[Lost World]

I think they're fine, but they seem to have fallen out of style. It's common in the crime publications I read to go through an entire issue and not see one. I've cut my use accordingly; however, they remain in the toolbox if I need them.