, then or , and then or ; then

King Neptune said:

This zombie thread probably is rotting away by now.

Click to expand...

All the more palatable.

caw

commasplicer said:

Does anyone have a preference?

I learned grammar, then I chopped my ear off. Statement, colorless
I learned grammar, and then I chopped my ear off. I sense humor here
I learned grammar; then I chopped my ear off.Improper use of semi-colon I feel!

Click to expand...

Notes in red!

SandySimonton said:

Notes in red!

Click to expand...

This isn't a crit forum; it's a grammar and syntax forum. "Colorless" has no meaning in the context of grammar or syntax.

Moreover, "I learned grammar; then I chopped my ear off" is a perfectly correct use of a semi-colon.

I learned grammar like Then I chopped my ear off is an independent clause. The primary purpose of a semi-colon is to join two independent clauses.

I usually leave zombies alone, but I learned grammar, then I chopped my ear off. Would generally be considered a comma splice, because "then" is not one of the conjunctions on the approved list. That is also the reason why the grammar checker in Word always suggests "and then" as a replacement for "then".