In this opportunity we will study about using semicolon in the sentence.
Using Semicolons
Semicolons
help you connect closely related ideas when a style mark stronger than a comma
is needed. By using semicolons effectively, you can make your writing sound
more sophisticated.
Connect closely related ideas
- Link
two independent clauses to
connect closely related ideas
Some people write with a word processor; others
write with a pen or pencil.
- Link
clauses connected by conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases to
connect closely related ideas
But however they choose to write, people are allowed
to make their own decisions; as a result, many people swear by their
writing methods.
- Link
lists where the items contain commas to avoid confusion between list items
There are basically two ways to write: with a pen or
pencil, which is inexpensive and easily accessible; or by computer and
printer, which is more expensive but quick and neat.
- Link
lengthy clauses or clauses with commas to avoid confusion between clauses
Some people write with a word processor, typewriter,
or a computer; but others, for different reasons, choose to write with a
pen or pencil.
Rules for Using Semicolons
- A
semicolon is most commonly used to link (in a single sentence) two independent clauses that
are closely related in thought.
When a semicolon is used to join two or more ideas
(parts) in a sentence, those ideas are then given equal position or rank.
Some people write with a word processor; others
write with a pen or pencil.
- Use a
semicolon between two independent clauses that
are connected by conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases.
But however they choose to write, people are allowed
to make their own decisions; as a result, many people swear by their
writing methods.
- Use a
semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the items contain
commas.
There are basically two ways to write: with a pen or
pencil, which is inexpensive and easily accessible; or by computer and
printer, which is more expensive but quick and neat.
- Use a
semicolon between independent clauses joined
by a coordinating
conjunction if the clauses are already punctuated with
commas or if the clauses are lengthy.
Some people write with a word processor, typewriter,
or a computer; but others, for different reasons, choose to write with a
pen or pencil.
Avoid using a comma when a semicolon is needed:
Incorrect: The cow is
brown, it is also old.
Correct: The cow is brown; it is also old.
Correct: The cow is brown; it is also old.
What's going
on here? Both parts
of the sentence are independent clauses, and commas
should not be used to connect independent clauses if there is no coordinating conjunction. This
mistake is known as a comma splice.
Incorrect: I like
cows, however, I hate the way they smell.
Correct: I like cows; however, I hate the way they smell.
Correct: I like cows; however, I hate the way they smell.
What's going
on here? The conjunctive
adverb however signals a connection between two independent clauses, and commas
should not be used to connect independent clauses if there is no coordinating conjunction.
Incorrect: I like
cows: they give us milk, which tastes good, they give us beef, which also
tastes good, and they give us leather, which is used for shoes and coats.
Correct: I like cows: they give us milk, which tastes good; they give us beef, which also tastes good; and they give us leather, which is used for shoes and coats.
Correct: I like cows: they give us milk, which tastes good; they give us beef, which also tastes good; and they give us leather, which is used for shoes and coats.
What's going
on here? It's unclear
what the three list items are, since the items are separated by commas.
Incorrect: Cows,
though their bovine majesty has been on the wane in recent millenia, are still
one of the great species of this planet, domesticated, yet proud, they ruminate
silently as we humans pass tumultuously by.
Correct: Cows, though their bovine majesty has been on the wane in recent millenia, are still one of the great species of this planet; domesticated, yet proud, they ruminate silently as we humans pass tumultuously by.
Correct: Cows, though their bovine majesty has been on the wane in recent millenia, are still one of the great species of this planet; domesticated, yet proud, they ruminate silently as we humans pass tumultuously by.
What's going
on here? It's unclear
where the first independent clause ends and
the second independent clause begins.
Avoid using a semicolon when a comma is needed:
Incorrect: The cow is
brown; but not old.
Correct: The cow is brown, but not old.
Correct: The cow is brown, but not old.
What's going
on here? The coordinating conjunctionbut doesn't
require a semicolon, since the second part of the sentence isn't an independent clause.
Incorrect: Because
cows smell; they offend me.
Correct: Because cows smell, they offend me.
Correct: Because cows smell, they offend me.
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