Semi colon

jmousseau · Jul 14, 2007

Can anyone explain the proper way to use a semi colon?

veinglory · Jul 14, 2007

Basically, as I understand it, if you have two complete statements that are too separate for a comma but too linked for a full stop.

Jessy was thirsty; it was hot.

But they are out of fashion.

maestrowork · Jul 14, 2007

It's like a full stop/period, but the two sentences are closely related (as in V's example). It's also used in a series that include commas:

There are four cities with the highest population of immigrants: New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL; and Houston, TX.

(it's just an example -- I don't know the actual data)

RLB · Jul 14, 2007

veinglory said:
But they are out of fashion.

Say it isn't so!
The semicolon is my favorite punctuation mark; there is no substitute for its effect.

Saundra Julian · Jul 15, 2007

I will do almost anything to avoid a semicolon, hate'em, hate'em, hate'em!

Silver King · Jul 15, 2007

Semicolons are sexy and should be used with the utmost care, lest they seem promiscuous.

You'll find some decent usage illustrations here.

Arkie · Jul 15, 2007

Google up the Purdue University Online Writing Lab. You will find answers to most of your writing questions.

veinglory · Jul 15, 2007

I agree that semi colons used in moderation are totally sexy.

maestrowork · Jul 15, 2007

Silver King said:
Semicolons are sexy and should be used with the utmost care, lest they seem promiscuous.

You'll find some decent usage illustrations here.

Yup.

For rule 2 and 4, I would suggest using a full stop instead. For rule 1, I would only use a semicolon if the two sentences are closely related. For rule 3, I would definitely use semicolons.

joetrain · Jul 15, 2007

sexy, yep. sexy's never out of fashion.

maestrowork · Jul 15, 2007

,;:

That's erotic...

Devil Ledbetter · Jul 15, 2007

veinglory said:
I agree that semi colons used in moderation are totally sexy.

Thank you for redeeming yourself.

veinglory · Jul 15, 2007

Hey, fashion is fashion--most people grow out of being a slave to it but it pays to be aware.

Christine N. · Jul 15, 2007

I saw the title of the thread and had a different idea altogether.

I can't see the use of a semi colon - having one makes digestion difficult.

jmousseau · Jul 15, 2007

YOU ALL RULE!
Thanks so much.

Deleted member 42 · Jul 15, 2007

RLB said:
Say it isn't so!
The semicolon is my favorite punctuation mark; there is no substitute for its effect.

You can try to pry my beloved semicolon from my cold dead fingers, and even then, if you should happen to succeed, I'll haunt you and steal 'em back.

The semicolon allows you to emphasize the connections between important ideas in a way that nothing else does.

ErylRavenwell · Jul 15, 2007

Medievalist said:
The semicolon allows you to emphasize the connections between important ideas in a way that nothing else does.

True. But it's just that the majority of the readership is clueless about the functions of the semi-colon. The reason why I'm no longer a semi-colon addict. I've devolved into a scholar of the Humble Comma and the Simple Period. I'm still a emdash zealot, though.

Silver King · Jul 15, 2007

Ha! I use semicolons in posts even. That'll teach folks to think it looks unsightly.

RLB · Jul 15, 2007

Here's a geeky grammar link for everyone. Noah Lukeman wrote a great bit about the semicolon, supported by examples from literature. You can find it here (scroll down to chapter three):

http://www.bksp.org/secondarypages/articles/agentseditors/NLukeman2.htm

We use the semicolon for the same reason we replace cement floors with marble: cement floors are equally functional but not as elegant, not as aesthetically pleasing as marble. The semicolon elevates punctuation from the utilitarian (from punctuation that works) to the luxurious (to punctuation that transcends). Business memos do not need semicolons; creative writers do.

Silver King · Jul 15, 2007

RLB said:
...We use the semicolon for the same reason we replace cement floors with marble: cement floors are equally functional but not as elegant, not as aesthetically pleasing as marble. The semicolon elevates punctuation from the utilitarian (from punctuation that works) to the luxurious (to punctuation that transcends). Business memos do not need semicolons; creative writers do.

That's one of the most beautiful descriptions I've ever read...about anything.

Birol · Jul 16, 2007

I

semi-colons.

Bufty · Jul 16, 2007

I think they're beautifully expressive little creatures.

Funny - in crits, one never sees anyone complimented on their use of semi-colons. Probably because if they're used right they're effective and unobtrusive.

Jamesaritchie · Jul 16, 2007

Semi

I do my best to avoid using semi colons in fiction, but they've hardly fallen out of favor. The problem, I think, is that too many writers have no clue how to use them properly. Then again, most writers have equal problems with commas.

Hillgate · Jul 16, 2007

Could someone please invent a new punctuation mark so I can replace my keyboard?

Cassie · Jul 17, 2007

Semicolons are odd: aren't they?

I believe they can be used arbitrarily, without many rules.

Semicolons are not periods; they are not commas.

(Errrr - I guess some people who are guilty of using comma splices should take a lesson in semicolons.)

A semicolon is less than a dash and less than a hyphen. A semicolon is a piece of punctuation that ties together two thoughts (usually in a compound-sentence way); sometimes there's a conjunction, sometimes there isn't. But always, if statements are united by a semicolon, there must be some close relation.

Exs.
I like to write about this topic; many others don't.
The cats are all sleeping now; and I am thinking of my own bed.

Semi colon

volitare nequeo

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Deleted member 42

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