Here's a question of taste rather than grammar. Do you think semi-colons are perfectly fine; do you think they are best avoided?
semi-colons;
- Thread starter DrZoidberg
- Start date
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.
I used them like beer: Generously.
I also get tired of people overusing the M-dash while snubbing the semi-colon.
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.
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.
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 28,750
- Reaction score
- 2,937
- Location
- right here
- Website
- www.veinglory.com
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)
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2005
- Messages
- 23,708
- Reaction score
- 10,661
- Location
- In a world of my own making
- Website
- shadowferret.wordpress.com
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?).
Not interchangeably, I hope.
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.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,485
- Reaction score
- 165
- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Website
- www.bkedits.com
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.
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.
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 28,750
- Reaction score
- 2,937
- Location
- right here
- Website
- www.veinglory.com
You certainly don't have to use them. There are other options. But I think they are sometimes the most elegant of the options.
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?
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2009
- Messages
- 1,129
- Reaction score
- 91
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.
Last edited:
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.
"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.
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.
Last edited:
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.
Now analytical essays are another story... LOL! I'm still a little bit addicted to the semi-colon there.
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2008
- Messages
- 13,979
- Reaction score
- 1,533
- Location
- Wisconsin's (sore) thumb
- Website
- www.firefromthesky.org
Semicolons are useful members of society. I'm more worried about some of those unemployed commas that lollygag around on sentence corners.
I've never had a problem with semi-colons, either reading or writing. I don't understand why some people do.
caw
caw