Questions tagged [semicolon]
Use of the semicolon, the ";" symbol.
298
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1answer
21 views
Is this statement grammatically correct? [Thank you so much for your time and efforts; I really appreciate it]
Is this statement grammatically correct regarding the usage of the semicolon, it makes sense, etc? I sometimes put this at the end of an email.
Thank you so much for your time and efforts; I really ...
0
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2answers
65 views
I Corrected Someone's Use of Commas and Now I Don't Know if I Was Right
Someone had written the following sentence:
Comedy, today, is dead; murdered by political correctness.
I disagreed with their point, but rather than argue with them about that I decided to correct ...
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0answers
25 views
Why this clause is dependent?
While preparing for my SAT, I encountered the following sentence:
"According to a survey analysis, veterans returning to the University of Illinois had 6 one “predominating request”: an efficient ...
2
votes
1answer
33 views
Semicolons with two-item list
I found a previous answer on here that said "Normally, a semicolon would be used in a construction with three or more list items, not just two."
But I'm curious about this because a list of ...
1
vote
1answer
28 views
Is “;so,” an acceptable grammar structure?
For a while, I've been using "so" with a semicolon.
For example, I would say, "I like bugs; so, I went to the bug convention happily."
I've always thought of the semicolon as a ...
0
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1answer
26 views
em-dash or semicolon for this case? [closed]
I am trying to decide whether the semicolon or em-dash is the more appropriate punctuation mark in this case:
It's not that I don't care -- it's just that I'm busy with other things.
It's not that I ...
5
votes
2answers
324 views
Is a comma splice always a mistake? [duplicate]
Here is an excerpt from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:
'He threw away a copy of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat , he threw away a copy of Godspell: he wouldn't need them where ...
2
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0answers
43 views
Should I Use a Comma or a Semicolon at the End of a Series of Complex Introductory Phrases or Dependent Clauses?
In my writing, I begin several sentences with a series of two or three -- or more -- adverbial (or prepositional) phrases (or dependent clauses), some of which contain commas. Seeking clarity, in ...
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1answer
46 views
Punctuating lists containing negative elements
I came across some sentences similar to these:
I would like my burger with no mustard, jalapeños, lettuce, and pickles.
I would like my burger with mustard, no jalapeños, lettuce, and pickles.
I can'...
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2answers
59 views
What does Meric Casaubon mean?
The below quote is from Book X, Verse 3 of Meric Casaubon's translation of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations :
But remember, that whatsoever by the strength of opinion, grounded upon a certain ...
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0answers
34 views
Use of semi colon or colon?
So I want to make a sentence presenting a list first and asking a question about it at the end. But I am confused whether semi colon should be used or colon should be used. I am of the view that colon ...
0
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1answer
38 views
Is the comma correct? Or should it be two separate sentences or should I use a semicolon? [closed]
Is the comma correct in the following statement?
Stay skeptical of news about foreign countries, especially news about countries with which we are not allied.
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0answers
24 views
Is it ok to write coworking in formal english? also it is correct the way I am using the semicolon?
Please read the following paragraph and tell me if needs some improvement, also if I am using correctly the semicolon:
-Coworking with local authorities for finding the best response to attend ...
3
votes
2answers
64 views
What are the rules on semi-colons?
Cruise ships can stay in one port for a short time only; which can be a problem if one wants to stay longer.
Can I use a semi-colon in this sentence of two halves?
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0answers
15 views
Is a semicolon or colon needed after “including”?
Previous research has identified four individual factors which appear to predict this including**;** need to feel loved, need to be loved and self-esteem.
Thanks everyone!
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2answers
64 views
Shoot first, ask questions later - Semicolon or comma
In the idiom "shoot first, ask questions later", should the clauses be separated by a comma or semicolon? There are many derivations from that idiom to the point at which it has become a trope, but I'...
2
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1answer
53 views
Semicolon as Super-comma
I hear I can use a semicolon as a "super-comma", where I'm listing three or more elements that have commas within them. I'm wondering, then, if this is correct:
Our objective function is the annual ...
0
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2answers
52 views
Using commas for lists containing independent clauses
To be clear, a is the acceleration of the object, F is the net force on the object, and m is the mass of the object.
Can we use commas for connecting independent clauses as a list? Is the above ...
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0answers
20 views
Colon, semicolon, or em-dash?
First Question: In Elisa’s daily life, she is mainly a housewife--meaning that she cooks, cleans, does the dishes, and more.
Second Question: The tinker starts talking about what it is like sleeping ...
0
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3answers
60 views
Use of semicolon
In the following section:
His presence was always looked forward to on the Sundays when he filled the pulpit, and he was a ready pastor at the weddings and funerals of Milford; he “had the reputation ...
1
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0answers
81 views
Proper use of pauses: semicolons or commas
Am I using the proper phrasing in the following sentence?
In times like these, the first thing we run out of is time; and since
none of us can create more of it, the only solution we have is to
...
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0answers
56 views
Colon or Semicolon for ‘I’m Sorry’
I was wondering whether using a colon is incorrect if I used it as follows:
I’m sorry: I only saw your message this morning.
My logic for using the colon rather than the semicolon is that the ...
1
vote
1answer
41 views
Use of punctuation in complex list with two sets of appositives
How would you punctuate the sentence below? Is it okay the way it is? I've never seen a sentence that introduced more than one list with a colon. I considered just taking out the colons. I also ...
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0answers
20 views
Colon, Semicolon, or Em-dash
Which of the following three are correct?
I would recommend reading the footnotes wherever indicated: they're quite informative.
I would recommend reading the footnotes wherever indicated; they're ...
1
vote
4answers
66 views
Proper use of semicolon for crude emphasis
My sentence is:
"Cars kill people; a lot of people."
I'm keeping the language brutally simple for crude emphasis.
Do you guys think this is a good way to use the semicolon?
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0answers
25 views
Use of Semicolon in Obituary? [duplicate]
Since the first two list items contain a comma, do I follow suit and use a semi-colon for the last two?
"He leaves behind his wife of 61 years,_____; children ____, ____, and ____; 9 grandchildren; ...
2
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1answer
27 views
Would a semi colon be appropriate in this sentence?
We previously ordered Flood insurance coverage for you to cover our interest in the property above; however, this coverage has been canceled. Please review the enclosed Evidence of Cancellation ...
-1
votes
1answer
56 views
I see many articles not using a/an/the when they should be, and usually it does pass my proofreader
It's manufactered at (a) high temperature.
Having proteins at (a)high temperature with fats is not healthy.
It makes since that we should use the article a, but somehow on doing google search, there ...
0
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2answers
402 views
Can you put a semicolon after an and in a list with bullets? Example in body
For example, in the following list, would the use of the semicolon be proper?
"
These are my favorite fruits:
apples
banans,
kiwis,
tomatoes,
pineapple,
watermelons, and;
oranges.
"
...
0
votes
1answer
73 views
Punctuating coordinating conjunctions
Is using a semicolon before a coordinating conjunction connecting two independent clauses wrong? Like in this example:
Some people write with a word processor, tablet, or even a phone; but
others,...
0
votes
1answer
61 views
If I connect two independent clauses with a semicolon, do the subjects of the two have to be the same?
ex:
Their motivations varied and often intertwined; but, whether it was due to a desire for glory, wealth and power, knowledge, or religious converts, the entire worldview of Europe and Asia radically ...
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2answers
59 views
Is it grammatically correct to seperate a complete sentence and an incomplete sentence with a semi-colon? [closed]
A common pattern in English is to separate two complete sentences with a semi-colon.
For example,
John was hurt; he knew she only said it to upset him.
"John was hurt" is a complete sentence, ...
0
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0answers
40 views
A semicolon or an em dash? [duplicate]
"Hediger acquired a drone after losing half of her harvest in one year to weeds. She estimates that identifying problems faster with timely crop data and using less weed killer will save her tens of ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
Is it possible to use a semi colon within a list?
I have seen questions looking at using semi-colons to make a list, but I am looking to ask whether semi-colons can go within lists to better define the objects in the list. I am looking to write a ...
0
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3answers
71 views
Semicolon usage for question-statement combos
I have read the various postings here about how and how not to use semicolons, but I've not seen and answer anything about how to deal with end of the sentence punctuation with sentence-statement ...
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1answer
71 views
Implied first person as a subject of a sentence and using semicolons?
I am writing my professional profile on my CV and questioning a couple of things.
As it's my CV, each bullet point places me as the subject, and I don't want to explicitly point this out every ...
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1answer
46 views
Semicolon error after 'limits'? [closed]
The original sentence is as follows:
Though Ramez Naam does not entirely deny the possibility of a self-reliant AI in his quote like Pinker does in this article, the words from Naam’s quote show ...
0
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1answer
50 views
How to understand the use of the semicolon in the sentence?
Men, particularly, spend hours of their leisure time installing their own fireplaces, laying out their own gardens; building garages and making furniture.
I do not understand the use of the ...
0
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2answers
77 views
Semicolon usage in conjunction with a conjunction
I once was blind and deaf to the Saviour's beckoning but He reached
into my disobedient heart and lovingly led me to surrender my will for
His; to trade death for life and sight and sound; and to ...
0
votes
2answers
126 views
A semi-colon before a “comprised of” list, or a new sentence?
I'm writing something along the lines of
The service is comprised of two parts; detailed tracking, and logging.
Should I employ the semi-colon, as above, or is a colon more appropriate? Or should ...
0
votes
1answer
243 views
What is the correct punctuation usage for 'thus' in this sentence?
"They believe technology serves humankind by empowering us with access to information and the ability to spread that useful information; thus, enriching our lives."
0
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1answer
45 views
What punctuation should you use after a list?
What punctuation should you use after a list and before describing the list? In the example below, what should I use where I have used a dash? Or is the dash correct?
"Some examples of Apple’s ...
0
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1answer
45 views
comma vs. colon
Should I use a comma or a semi-colon to connect these two sentences?
In addition to my education, interpersonal skills and work experience,
my previous experience at XXX gives me insight into the ...
0
votes
1answer
45 views
Do I use a dash or a semicolon here, or something else entirely?
Is it
"In other words, you can compare my existence in the dating world with living in the Sahara--bone dry with the occasional oasis appearing"
or
"In other words, you can compare my existence in ...
0
votes
1answer
63 views
Is this a correct usage of a semicolon: It's not that I don't care; it's that I care too much?
I could see case here for a colon: It's not that I don't care: it's that I care too much.
Or even a comma: It's not that I don't care, it's that I care too much.
0
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1answer
329 views
I'm using three questions in a list inside quotation marks, would I separate with a comma, semicolon, or nothing? Are the question marks even needed? [duplicate]
A sentence with a list of questions inside quotation marks, how do I separate them? I can't find a solid answer anywhere.
Option 1:
In simple terms, Naikan is based on three questions: “What have I ...
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0answers
24 views
Can a punctuation mark at the end of a quote be changed to a period to end a sentence?
For example, say I wanted to quote the following line of poetry: "To cloke your weariness;"
The line ends in a semicolon. However, what would I do if I wanted to quote it at the end of a sentence? ...
2
votes
1answer
166 views
Comma or semicolon between independent clauses that have internal commas and that are joined by a coordinating conjunction
In high school I learned that when joining two independent clauses where either contained a comma I should always use a semicolon before the coordinating conjunction. For example,
If Alice had known ...
1
vote
3answers
568 views
Should you use a comma after a number that falls at the end of a clause, even if the number has commas in it (ex: 1,000,000)?
For example, in the sentence
The cost is anticipated to be $1,000,000, inclusive of pre-construction costs.
is it appropriate to use a comma after $1,000,000 or should a semicolon be used?
0
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1answer
214 views
Should you use a semi-colon to punctuate a list that contains only two items?
Pupils must know what adjectives, nouns and synonyms are, and be able to infer meanings of adjectives based on context clues.
OR
Pupils must know what adjectives, nouns and synonyms are; and be able ...
