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How do you use a semicolon?: Difference between revisions
→The use of semicolon
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==The use of semicolon== | ==The use of semicolon== | ||
*The semicolon is used to separate major sentence elements of equal grammatical lengths (Hacker 250). | *'''The semicolon is used to separate major sentence elements of equal grammatical lengths''' (Hacker 250). | ||
*The semicolon is used between closely related independent clauses not | *'''The semicolon is used between closely related independent clauses not joined with a coordinating conjunction''' (Hacker 251). | ||
joined with a coordinating conjunction (Hacker 251). | **Related independent clauses in one sentence are usually connected with a | ||
*Related independent clauses in one sentence are usually connected with a | |||
comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet). | comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet). | ||
:*The conjunction expresses the relation between the clauses. If the | :*The conjunction expresses the relation between the clauses. If the | ||
relation is clear without the conjunction, a writer may choose to connect the clauses with a semicolon instead (Hacker 251). | relation is clear without the conjunction, a writer may choose to connect the clauses with a semicolon instead (Hacker 251). | ||
: | :**"''Injustice is relatively easy to bear;what stings is justice''." - H.L.Mencken | ||
*A semicolon must be used whenever a coordinating conjunction has been | *A semicolon must be used whenever a coordinating conjunction has been | ||
omitted between independent clauses.If a comma is used instead of a | omitted between independent clauses.If a comma is used instead of a | ||
semicolon, it creates a kind of run-on sentence called a comma splice. | semicolon, it creates a kind of run-on sentence called a comma splice. | ||
:*''In 1800, a traveler needed six weeks to get from New York City to Chicago; in 1860, the trip by railroad took two days'' (Hacker 251). | :*''In 1800, a traveler needed six weeks to get from New York City to Chicago; in 1860, the trip by railroad took two days'' (Hacker 251). | ||
*Use a semicolon between independent clauses linked with a transitional expression. | *'''Use a semicolon between independent clauses linked with a transitional expression'''. | ||
:*Transitional expressions consist of conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases. | :*Transitional expressions consist of conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases. | ||
:;Conjunctive Adverbs: ''accordingly, also, anyway, besides, certainly, consequently, conversely, finally, furthermore, hence, however, incidentally, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevetheless, next, nonetheless, otherwise, similarly, specifically, still, subsequently, then, therefore, thus'' (Hacker 251). | :;Conjunctive Adverbs: ''accordingly, also, anyway, besides, certainly, consequently, conversely, finally, furthermore, hence, however, incidentally, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevetheless, next, nonetheless, otherwise, similarly, specifically, still, subsequently, then, therefore, thus'' (Hacker 251). | ||
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*When a transitional expression appears between two independent clauses, it is preceded by a semicolon and often followed by a comma (Hacker 252). | *When a transitional expression appears between two independent clauses, it is preceded by a semicolon and often followed by a comma (Hacker 252). | ||
:*''Many corals grow very gradually; in fact, the creation of a coral reef can take centuries'' (Hacker 252). | :*''Many corals grow very gradually; in fact, the creation of a coral reef can take centuries'' (Hacker 252). | ||
*If a transitional expression appears in the middle or at the end of the second independent clause, the semicolon goes between the clauses (Hacker 252). | *If a transitional expression appears in the middle or at the end of the second independent clause, then the semicolon goes between the clauses (Hacker 252). | ||
:*''Most singers gain fame through hard work and dedication; Evita, however, found other means'' (Hacker 252). | |||