Questions tagged [semicolon]
Use of the semicolon, the ";" symbol.
277
questions
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0answers
22 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; ...
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0answers
35 views
Semicolon between two sentences?
I'm currently writing a goodbye message for a colleague, and one of my sentences is
We do not say "goodbye." We say "see you later."
That looked a bit awkward to me, and I thought of using a ...
0
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0answers
20 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 ...
0
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0answers
30 views
How to punctuate series containing imperatives?
How would I punctuate, for example, "Scrub the tub, rinse it, and then dry it."
Since these are imperatives, which imply the subject "you", should I use commas or semicolons to separate these items of ...
0
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0answers
23 views
How should I punctuate this title of an elearning module I am creating, please?
At first I had two colons, but that doesn't seem correct. I have tried a semi-colon now. This is for an eLearning training module I am creating on the 2020 edition of a fire sprinkler code (NFPA 25). ...
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0answers
32 views
comma before fanboy
I ride this trail nearly every day—not on a bike,
but on “Luigi.”
On Luigi isn't an independent clause so why is it okay to put the comma before the but?
Also, if you have a sentence if you have a ...
-1
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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 ...
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0answers
22 views
How to alternate between commas and semi colons
Semicolons are used instead of (, and ), and also in lists that contain commas.
But what if I had both uses right after each other as in my following example, having a stream of continuous ...
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2answers
87 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
57 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
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1answer
60 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
41 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
38 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
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1answer
48 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 ...
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3answers
59 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 ...
1
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1answer
56 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
44 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
48 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
75 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
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2answers
81 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
192 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
41 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
37 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
44 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
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1answer
61 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.
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1answer
221 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
131 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
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3answers
246 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
votes
1answer
130 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 ...
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1answer
84 views
Punctuation before an addendum
Over the cemetery a cloud always hangs, a thick grey one.
Over the cemetery a cloud always hangs; a thick grey one.
Over the cemetery a cloud always hangs—a thick grey one.
Which of these is ...
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1answer
6k views
Is a comma appropriate in “Sounds good, thanks.”
If I am writing "Sounds good, thanks.", is a comma appropriate between "Sounds good" and "thanks"? It seems awkward/too much to instead do "Sounds good; thanks." or "Sounds good. Thanks."
Would the ...
1
vote
1answer
46 views
Is a semi-colon correct here or should it be a period?
Here's what I wrote. It feels wrong to start a sentence with "I tried that" as the reader wouldn't know what I'm talking about unless they read the previous lines, which is why I thought I'd use a ...
-1
votes
1answer
1k views
Semi-colon or comma before then?
Should a semi-colon or a comma go before the 'then'?
John ate an apple,/; then he ate an orange.
From what I remember, 'then' should follow a semi-colon when between two independent clauses; ...
0
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2answers
2k views
Usage of semicolon before because
I was always taught that when I have two independent clauses with the usage of because separating them, I should add a semicolon before because. Is this correct? Example sentences:
He dragged me ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
Can a semicolon be placed between two sentences if the second sentence begins with a pronoun that refers back to the previous sentence?
Consider the following closely-related sentences:
Those tribes have been farmers for centuries. They do not desire to do
anything else.
would this way of writing the sentences be correct as well:...
0
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1answer
187 views
Dependent clause w/list *comma or semicolon* followed by independent clause
Should we use a semicolon or comma when an adverbial dependent clause containing a list is followed by an independent clause?
While not everyone is a Newton, Einstein, or Hawking, every one of them ...
0
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1answer
683 views
How to use semicolons (when listing people’s names and actions)?
I’ve been reading this paragraph:
I unlock the bathroom door and pull the handle down, I open it slightly, only to see the face of every family member residing in this house, crowding outside my ...
1
vote
2answers
159 views
Should we use an em dash, en dash, or semi-colon
A sentence is causing some discussion in the office - it's about a Nylon product. We are not sure if we should use an en-dash, em-dash, semi-colon, or something else entirely. I thought an em-dash was ...
1
vote
3answers
118 views
Use of Semicolon in this Sentence [duplicate]
In the following sentence can the first comma be replaced with a semicolon for smoother reading?
"An hour drifted by, and the lady, whose name was Arcey Pierre, called it a day."
0
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1answer
52 views
help: punctuating a long list containing abbreviations [closed]
any suggestions for the following list:
"such as: joiner, Hollaender swivel T, Hollaender horizontal flat plate, jr. end piece, Hollaender split cross, flange base, [Matthews] Big Ben, speedrail ear, ...
0
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1answer
26 views
Semicolon and quotes usage
Which of the following sentences are most appropriate?
Hence, the teachers/educators need to look upon these points and further explore the child’s ‘behavior’; what the Psychologist call as the “...
0
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1answer
32k views
What is the difference between “;” and “:” I don't really understand this difference? [closed]
I never really understood the difference between these so if someone could elaborate that would be excellent.
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0answers
50 views
Use of semicolon - in this sentence - as a way to add additional information
I am trying to list the things that one should keep in mind when traveling with kids, but I also want to convey that child should not be allowed to travel with a teen alone. Am I using the semicolon ...
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0answers
42 views
Semi-colon usage
Has this semi-colon been used correctly? If not, how should this sentence read?
Thank you.
This brew is a result of passion, hard work, and commitment; connecting family, friendships and good times.
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0answers
44 views
Punctuation confusion, commas, semicolons, and em dashes
I'm having a hard time trying to punctuate the following sentence. I have it using just commas right now, but I do not think that is right.
On Earth they see the Sun every day, it’s always there, ...
1
vote
2answers
309 views
When to use semicolon [duplicate]
I have gone through lots of posts on the internet, but couldn't find any convincing answer for the correct usage of the semicolon in sentences.
Also, I'd like to know why we can't use a full stop ...
0
votes
1answer
62 views
Using a semicolon to separate two different scenarios
Within my free-writing I have stumbled across a roadblock.
My Sentence: "The concepts within a story should not be retained as mere memories; Instead, as ideas."
My Question: Is the semicolon used ...
6
votes
1answer
147 views
Is the solution of the Maine Legislature to the Oxford Comma Case…clunky?
The Oxford Comma Case (Oakhurst Dairy in Portland, ME vs its drivers) has been settled for five million dollars. According to The New York Times
The relatively small-scale dispute gained ...
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1answer
66 views
Semicolon for list of examples between two types of thing
I just read that you should use a semicolon for a list where the list items contain commas. However, my sentence doesn't have a list as the main "list" only two items. Or do two items already count as ...
