Questions tagged [semicolon]
Use of the semicolon, the ";" symbol.
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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
52 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
17 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? ...
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1answer
17 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 ...
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3answers
50 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?
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1answer
43 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
36 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
536 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 ...
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1answer
38 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 ...
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1answer
61 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; ...
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2answers
202 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 ...
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1answer
44 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:...
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1answer
27 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 ...
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1answer
77 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 ...
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2answers
80 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 ...
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0answers
119 views
Semicolon or comma in a long sentence with series?
I have been taught different things regarding when to use a semicolon or a comma to separate the items in a series in a long sentence. Take the sentence below:
If you do not like what I have to say,...
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3answers
86 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."
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1answer
48 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, ...
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1answer
21 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 “...
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0answers
22 views
How to punctuate character descriptions within a single clause
I want to say "Inside the bedroom John and Mary sit and talk" but include descriptions of each.
e.g.
"Inside the bedroom, John; a thirty year old boxer and Mary; a balding starlet, sit and talk".
...
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0answers
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Proper use of a Semicolon in a sentence and its meaning [duplicate]
I have a question regarding the proper use of a semicolon in a sentence. My understanding of its use is that when used in a sentence it is referencing back to the first word used in this case a ...
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0answers
52 views
'Evergreen trees are a symbol of fertility; they do not die in the winter' What sentence structure is this? [closed]
'Evergreen trees are a symbol of fertility; they do not die in the winter' What
sentence structure is this?
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1answer
9k 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
42 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
29 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
30 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, ...
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1answer
80 views
Semi-colon, colon or comma? [closed]
I was wondering whether I should use a semi-colon, colon or comma after 'displacement' in the following sentence?
To exemplify this, we create two bin smooths for mpg against
displacement: one ...
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2answers
199 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 ...
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1answer
46 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 ...
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0answers
23 views
Is the following an example of a comma splice? Would a semi-colon work better?
Being inclusive is not only good for our people, it is also good for our profitability.
Thanks
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1answer
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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
47 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 ...
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1answer
124 views
Specific punctuation, AmE vs BrE [duplicate]
I'm aware of most differences in punctuation usage between American English and British English. However, I came across something conflicting or erroneous when I was reading Oxford English Grammar, ...
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0answers
41 views
Semicolon or comma in example sentence
On a resume, which one is correct:
Worked closely with internal and external stakeholders; for instance, Australian government
Or
Worked closely with internal and external stakeholders, for ...
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1answer
105 views
Can a semi-colon be followed by and adverb and then a conjunction?
In the following sentence, is the usage of the semi-colon correct?
Developing techniques to describe this particular system is intractably difficult; mainly because there is no reference system ...
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2answers
32 views
Should a semicolon be used in this sentence? [closed]
Is the following sentence correct?
Ellie disagreed, saying, “Foot fungus is much more fun than learning
words.”
Specifically, should there be a semicolon somewhere before the quote?
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3answers
148 views
Is the use of semi-colon correct here?
Consider the following sentence:
"Walker was not only the trailblazer in the medical field; she was also a visionary who bravely challenged many of the social prejudices of her day. "
My question ...
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0answers
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Semi-colon list where the semi-colons serve different functions
Is something like this acceptable?
"I am responsible for Fido, his food and walking; Mittens, her petting and grooming; and I'm in charge of a two-year-old toddler."
The first two items are ...
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2answers
49 views
How to correctly use colon? [closed]
I have the following sentence:
The company will be oriented towards the development of three types of
products: video games, video animations and digital marketing for
which it will make use of ...
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0answers
26 views
Can a conjunctive adverb stay anywhere in the second part of the sentence away from the semicolon?
I would like to know if it is grammatically legal to use the conjunctive adverb with the way I have it in sentence 1 below?
I am pudgy; I like to run, however.
I am pudgy; however, I like to run.
...
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2answers
1k views
Is this sentence punctuated correctly? [closed]
Is this correctly punctuated?
He went to the bar to drown his sorrows; he is there now, probably drinking vodka.
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0answers
187 views
Can you put a quote next to a semi colon? [closed]
A sentence begins with 'he said' (person A) and then a description of whatever he said by another person (person B). Then after the description ';' was added and a quote from the person who said the ...
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2answers
734 views
Comma or semicolon before “see [reference]”
Motivated by this question on [academia.se]: a copy-editor changed the semicolon in
This can be proved via the method of Gauss; see [1].
to a comma.
Is the version with a comma grammatically ...
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0answers
102 views
Specific Semicolon vs. Dash Case
and thanks for taking the time to read my question.
I was writing an essay not too long ago, and I ended up writing a sentence that goes like this:
As people convert to higher-paid jobs the birth ...
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0answers
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What should I do when items in a list contain the separator character?
I know if list items contain commas, then you should use semi-colons to delimit the list, but what do you do if both commas and semi-colons are present? What do you do if those characters are present?...
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2answers
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Parsing “each other, however, but”
My AP English Literature and Composition Teacher was reading aloud a piece on comedy and satire:
Characters in the novels are not always morally and socially obliging to each other, however, but ...
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3answers
147 views
Can you use semicolons in place of question marks?
For example:
"You've heard of warfare, right; it's when multiple countries fight for some cause."
Is this correct? Or would you instead use something like:
"You've heard of warfare, right? It's ...
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1answer
277 views
Punctuation: is this usage of a semicolon correct?
The sentence:
First of all, i just want to state that these are really great; I wish i had known about them earlier.
It would be great if you could also add some overall tips on the usage of ...
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1answer
165 views
Lovecraft and the Semicolon
From countless hours of poring over Lovecraft, his usage of semicolons has been found to be somewhat odd. At times, he'll place them where a comma would usually be seen; sort of like this. For example,...
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3answers
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Is there an “Oxford semicolon”?
I must admit that I don't use semicolon lists very often. (In some instances, I probably should have.) I will also admit that I'm neither-here-nor-there with the use of an Oxford comma. Sometimes I ...
