english majors: what's the correct usage of a semicolon?

[dpopiz]

give me some examples

 

[Alex]

4 entries found for semicolon.
sem·i·co·lon ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sm-kln)
n.

A mark of punctuation ( ) used to connect independent clauses and indicating a closer relationship between the clauses than a period does.


[Buy it]
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

semicolon

\Sem"i*co`lon\, n. The punctuation mark [;] indicating a separation between parts or members of a sentence more distinct than that marked by a comma.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

semicolon

n : a punctuation mark (😉 used to connect independent clauses; indicates a closer relation than does a period

 

[conjur]

Google; it's your friend.

😀

 

[Alex]

Text

 

[NoReMoRsE]

Semicolons are fun to use; I try to use them as much as possible.

 

[Yossarian]

I agree; they're fun; and you don't have to be an English major; to use them.

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: NoReMoRsE
Semicolons are fun to use; I try to use them as much as possible.

Yes they are!
And every once in a while I try to masturbate a big word into the conversation, even if I'm not sure exactly what it means.

 

[LongCoolMother]

i; love; using; semi; colons; i;n;c;o;r;r;e;c;t;l;y;

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: NoReMoRsE
Semicolons are fun to use; I try to use them as much as possible.

Yes they are!
And every once in a while I try to masturbate a big word into the conversation, even if I'm not sure exactly what it means.

LOL

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: NoReMoRsE
Semicolons are fun to use; I try to use them as much as possible.

Yes they are!
And every once in a while I try to masturbate a big word into the conversation, even if I'm not sure exactly what it means.

This would be during intercourse, of course.







in·ter·course Pronunciation Key (ntr-kôrs, -krs)
n.
Dealings or communications between persons or groups.

 

[Alex]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: NoReMoRsE
Semicolons are fun to use; I try to use them as much as possible.

Yes they are!
And every once in a while I try to masturbate a big word into the conversation, even if I'm not sure exactly what it means.

This would be during intercourse, of course.







in·ter·course Pronunciation Key (ntr-kôrs, -krs)
n.
Dealings or communications between persons or groups.

lol 😀

nice nice

 

[JBAR]

Any use of the semicolon is half-assed.

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: PipBoy
I agree; they're fun; and you don't have to be an English major; to use them.

Which you clearly are not...

 

[silverpig]

return();

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: NoReMoRsE
Semicolons are fun to use; I try to use them as much as possible.

Yes they are!
And every once in a while I try to masturbate a big word into the conversation, even if I'm not sure exactly what it means.

This would be during intercourse, of course.


in·ter·course Pronunciation Key (ntr-kôrs, -krs)
n.
Dealings or communications between persons or groups.

Of course!

Intercourse is also the name of a small town in PA.

And let us not forget about President Madison's Non-Intercourse Act.

 

I have to admit: I use them quite often. 😱 Semicolon is your friend especially when writing a philosophy paper or legal research.

I'll just give you examples from A Writer's Reference, by Diana Hacker. I don't think some were mentioned in the link provided by another member. Besides, this author is pretty thorough.

1. Use a semicolon between closely related independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet).

Examples:

Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice. -- H. L. Mencken

Most U.S. hospitals offer only Western methods of treatment; hospitals in China provide both Western and traditional Chinese medicine. (The semicolon is used here to avoid comma splices.)

2. Use a semicolon between independent clauses linked with a transitional expression (i.e., conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases). Conjunctive adverbs include, but aren't limited to, also, accordingly, anyway, moreover, nevertheless, however, hence, otherwise, next, still, then and furthermore. Transitional phrases are after all, as a matter of fact, at any rate, in other words, on the contrary, etc.

Examples:

I learned all the rules and regulations; however, I never really learned to control the ball.

Most singers gain fame through hard work and dedication; Evita, however, found other means.

3. Use semicolon between items in a series containing internal punctuation.

Example: Classic fiction sagas are Star Trek, with Mr. Spock and his large pointed ears; Battlestar Galactica, with its Cylon Raiders; and Star Wars, with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader.

Misuses of the semicolon:

- Between a subordinate clause and the rest of the sentence
- Between an appositive and the word it refers to
- To introduce a list
- Between independent clauses joined by and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet

 

[Martin]

English Majors: Do you get pissed off when I don't leave a tip?

 

[PatboyX]

Originally posted by: NoReMoRsE
Semicolons are fun to use; I try to use them as much as possible.

true that!

 

[upsciLLion]

Originally posted by: luvly
I have to admit: I use them quite often. 😱 Semicolon is your friend especially when writing a philosophy paper or legal research.

I'll just give you examples from A Writer's Reference, by Diana Hacker. I don't think some were mentioned in the link provided by another member. Besides, this author is pretty thorough.

1. Use a semicolon between closely related independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet).

Examples:

Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice. -- H. L. Mencken

Most U.S. hospitals offer only Western methods of treatment; hospitals in China provide both Western and traditional Chinese medicine. (The semicolon is used here to avoid comma splices.)

2. Use a semicolon between independent clauses linked with a transitional expression (i.e., conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases). Conjunctive adverbs include, but aren't limited to, also, accordingly, anyway, moreover, nevertheless, however, hence, otherwise, next, still, then and furthermore. Transitional phrases are after all, as a matter of fact, at any rate, in other words, on the contrary, etc.

Examples:

I learned all the rules and regulations; however, I never really learned to control the ball.

Most singers gain fame through hard work and dedication; Evita, however, found other means.

3. Use semicolon between items in a series containing internal punctuation.

Example: Classic fiction sagas are Star Trek, with Mr. Spock and his large pointed ears; Battlestar Galactica, with its Cylon Raiders; and Star Wars, with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader.

Misuses of the semicolon:

- Between a subordinate clause and the rest of the sentence
- Between an appositive and the word it refers to
- To introduce a list
- Between independent clauses joined by and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet

Damn you, you grammatical beast. I was hoping to post what would have been my only positive contribution to any forum all day long. 🙂

ups

 

[C'DaleRider]

Originally posted by: MartyTheManiak
English Majors: Do you get pissed off when I don't leave a tip?

Do you enjoy it when they piss in your food?

 

[Snapster]

Originally posted by: silverpig
return();

Posts++;

Would be my use of em. 🙂

 

[Confused]

😉