Comments on: How to Use a Semicolon http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:33:35 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Melissa Donovan http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon/comment-page-1#comment-31182 Melissa Donovan Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:01:08 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/how-to-use-a-semicolon#comment-31182 Cat, I'm going to agree and disagree with you. A semicolon would be more appropriate than a comma. Another option would be to terminate the sentence after "correct" and start a new sentence at "however." My preference is to change "however" to "but," which is exactly what I'm going to do. Thanks for sharing your feedback. Cat, I’m going to agree and disagree with you. A semicolon would be more appropriate than a comma. Another option would be to terminate the sentence after “correct” and start a new sentence at “however.” My preference is to change “however” to “but,” which is exactly what I’m going to do. Thanks for sharing your feedback.

]]> By: Cat http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon/comment-page-1#comment-31181 Cat Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:35:54 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/how-to-use-a-semicolon#comment-31181 If you are writing an article on proper semicolon use, you should use it properly in the article. Your article includes the following improperly punctuated sentence: In many cases, semicolon use is appropriate or grammatically correct, however, when a period will do the trick, go with two separate sentences. In other words, if you can choose between separating clauses by a semicolon or writing two separate sentences (using a period), write two separate sentences. This makes text easier to read. __________________________ You should have used a semicolon before the word "however." If you are writing an article on proper semicolon use, you should use it properly in the article.

Your article includes the following improperly punctuated sentence:

In many cases, semicolon use is appropriate or grammatically correct, however, when a period will do the trick, go with two separate sentences. In other words, if you can choose between separating clauses by a semicolon or writing two separate sentences (using a period), write two separate sentences. This makes text easier to read.
__________________________
You should have used a semicolon before the word “however.”

]]> By: Melissa Donovan http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon/comment-page-1#comment-30878 Melissa Donovan Sun, 03 Jan 2010 23:50:50 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/how-to-use-a-semicolon#comment-30878 Aw, you're very sweet. Thanks! Aw, you’re very sweet. Thanks!

]]> By: travis http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon/comment-page-1#comment-30843 travis Sat, 02 Jan 2010 14:57:25 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/how-to-use-a-semicolon#comment-30843 Melissa, I just clicked on the about page of your site because I found the site so helpful. You are really cute :o) I just thought I would comment about your looks for a sec. lol Jk. Keep up the great work here...very helpful. Melissa,

I just clicked on the about page of your site because I found the site so helpful. You are really cute :o ) I just thought I would comment about your looks for a sec. lol Jk. Keep up the great work here…very helpful.

]]> By: Bill Pearce http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon/comment-page-1#comment-24918 Bill Pearce Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:39:51 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/how-to-use-a-semicolon#comment-24918 @peter Personally, I would have used a semicolon between "forgive the inappropriate example" and "I’m just a bit lazy right now." Incidentally, it seems more appropriate. @peter

Personally, I would have used a semicolon between “forgive the inappropriate example” and “I’m just a bit lazy right now.”

Incidentally, it seems more appropriate.

]]> By: Melissa Donovan http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon/comment-page-1#comment-24407 Melissa Donovan Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:48:26 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/how-to-use-a-semicolon#comment-24407 Hi Catherine, This article explains how to use semicolons. Did you read it? Do you have any specific questions? Hi Catherine, This article explains how to use semicolons. Did you read it? Do you have any specific questions?

]]> By: Catherine http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon/comment-page-1#comment-24334 Catherine Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:53:39 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/how-to-use-a-semicolon#comment-24334 I am learning English together with my children. We are trying to figure out how to use semicolon in proper sentences, when to use and when we should not. If anyone can share with us, thank you so much ! I am learning English together with my children. We are trying to figure out how to use semicolon in proper sentences, when to use and when we should not.

If anyone can share with us, thank you so much !

]]> By: Peter Knight http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon/comment-page-1#comment-5176 Peter Knight Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:43:09 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/how-to-use-a-semicolon#comment-5176 As you say, Melissa "In most cases ...". But sometimes something is lost when a semicolon is replaced by a period - independent clauses, but one reinforcing the other, say: McCain is involved in a scandal. Obama is delighted and McCain is involved in a scandal; Obama is delighted Forgive the inappropriate example, I'm just a bit lazy right now. Peter PS Congratulations on this post: It keeps on bringing us back! Peter Knights last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wpbyknight/~3/353981402/" rel="nofollow">The “33 Worst Mistakes Writers Make” series - together</a> As you say, Melissa “In most cases …”. But sometimes something is lost when a semicolon is replaced by a period – independent clauses, but one reinforcing the other, say:

McCain is involved in a scandal. Obama is delighted

and

McCain is involved in a scandal; Obama is delighted

Forgive the inappropriate example, I’m just a bit lazy right now.

Peter

PS Congratulations on this post: It keeps on bringing us back!

Peter Knights last blog post..The “33 Worst Mistakes Writers Make” series – together

]]> By: Melissa Donovan http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon/comment-page-1#comment-5173 Melissa Donovan Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:26:10 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/how-to-use-a-semicolon#comment-5173 @Eugene, In most cases where a semicolon would be appropriate, I'll go with two full separate sentences; i.e. forgo the semicolon and use a period instead. Yes, the comma is grossly misused all over the place. Don't get me started on serial commas... @Eugene, In most cases where a semicolon would be appropriate, I’ll go with two full separate sentences; i.e. forgo the semicolon and use a period instead. Yes, the comma is grossly misused all over the place. Don’t get me started on serial commas…

]]> By: Eugene Sung http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon/comment-page-1#comment-5153 Eugene Sung Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:24:32 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/how-to-use-a-semicolon#comment-5153 I would have to argue that the comma (as opposed to the semicolon) is probably the most misused punctuation mark in English. As far as I know, semicolons are merely used to connect two independent clauses. Commas are used for a wide variety of purposes. I don't know... I just seem to see so many misplaced commas, but I rarely see semicolons being used at all. Eugene Sungs last blog post..<a href="http://www.eugenesung.com/2008/08/22/amazing-icon-finder/" rel="nofollow">Amazing Icon Finder</a> I would have to argue that the comma (as opposed to the semicolon) is probably the most misused punctuation mark in English. As far as I know, semicolons are merely used to connect two independent clauses. Commas are used for a wide variety of purposes. I don’t know… I just seem to see so many misplaced commas, but I rarely see semicolons being used at all.

Eugene Sungs last blog post..Amazing Icon Finder

]]> By: Melissa Donovan http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon/comment-page-1#comment-4575 Melissa Donovan Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:52:15 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/how-to-use-a-semicolon#comment-4575 @Peter, Yeppers. I would add that even though semicolons come in handy when used correctly, sometimes it's better to just start a new sentence. In my work, I've bumped across some written pieces in which the writer puts in a lot of semicolons and if overused, they actually hinder the flow of reading. Thanks for adding to the discussion! @Peter, Yeppers. I would add that even though semicolons come in handy when used correctly, sometimes it’s better to just start a new sentence. In my work, I’ve bumped across some written pieces in which the writer puts in a lot of semicolons and if overused, they actually hinder the flow of reading. Thanks for adding to the discussion!

]]> By: Peter Knight http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/punctuation-marks/how-to-use-a-semicolon/comment-page-1#comment-4554 Peter Knight Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:05:35 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/how-to-use-a-semicolon#comment-4554 Can be used to separate two clauses or sentences that are saying the same thing in different ways. When two sentences are separate; sentences that are related. Peter Knights last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wpbyknight/~3/353981402/" rel="nofollow">The “33 Worst Mistakes Writers Make” series - together</a> Can be used to separate two clauses or sentences that are saying the same thing in different ways.

When two sentences are separate; sentences that are related.

Peter Knights last blog post..The “33 Worst Mistakes Writers Make” series – together

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