Semi-Colons;

[lostandfound]

I know a lot of you, like myself, take pride in a venerable vocabulary, proper pronunciation, and perfect punctuation.
So could somebody please tell me how, and when, to use a semi-colon?

 

[philip]

Using Semicolons

 

[captainsousie]

I have found this page to be helpful and informative on the use of semicolons; however realize that not all grammarians completely agree on the use of the semicolon.

 

[captainsousie]

Darnit, Phillip beat me to it.

 

[lankfordjl]

I use it mostly to join two complete sentences that are related; this is an example.

 

[mick]

In my experience, the biggest misuse of a semi-colon comes when people mistake an adverb for a conjunction. Some examples:

1. I went to the store to buy peanut butter; however, they were all sold out.[/*]
   
2. We were going to buy every tin of Samuel Gawith we could find; instead, we decided on Captain Black.[/*]
   
3. I was not angry; rather, I was upset.[/*]

Note: the bolded words are adverbs, not conjunctions (like "and" or "but") and so they cannot join two sentences.
The other common use is to make lists after a colon. For example

1. There are a bunch of tobaccos I would love to try: 3 Oaks Syrian, for a taste of latakia; Orlik GS, to get a taste of a true and pure Virginia; Grousemoor, for a traditional (and not sickly) aromatic; Squadron Leader, as a representative of a traditional English blend.[/*]

That's basically it; you'll find it's quite simple.

 

[juvat270]

I use it mostly to join two complete sentences that are related; this is an example.

I had an English teacher in high school who made us memorize this sentence: "I know how to use a semi-colon; it is used correctly in this sentence." ::

 

[puffy]

I'm totaly lost in this conversation..I think I had that stuff in school.That was back in the fifties about the time that Elvis came on the scene.

 

[photoman13]

Hell I had it in school less than ten years ago. I am frequently lost. I have always had a difficult time with language. I hope people on here don't judge me too harshly for it.

 

[checotah]

Bulldog, FWIW Merriam-Webster classifies "However" as a conjunction.
Photoman, I doubt anyone here will judge you harshly for your grammar; however, some of us might for being young, when we are not. :twisted:

 

[mick]

Bulldog, FWIW Merriam-Webster classifies "However" as a conjunction.
Photoman, I doubt anyone here will judge you harshly for your grammar; however, some of us might for being young, when we are not. :twisted:

That's an entirely different use of the word. If you read your own link ( :nana: ) and scroll down to the superscript "2" you will see it is an adverb in my sample sentence, and the sentence you used it in too. :wink:
Once an English teacher, always an English teacher. :twisted:

 

[captainsousie]

And that's why I teach music instead of English.

 

[mick]

And that's why I teach music instead of English.

Do both! Teach your students to write ballads in iambic pentameter! :clap:

 

[pstlpkr]

The semicolon is the one punctuation mark that has always given me fits; hopefully, I'll use them correctly from now on; however, I'll probably screw up before long. :D

 

[captainsousie]

Do both! Teach your students to write ballads in iambic pentameter!

I much prefer trochaic octameter.

 

[mick]

I much prefer trochaic octameter.

:rofl: Well played!

 

[captainsousie]

You have to admit that tetrameter or octameter work much better in simple duple or simple quadruple meter.

 

[mick]

I admit nothing, officer!

 

[checotah]

If you read your own link ( :nana: )

WHAT? You expect me to read? Sounds, however, just like an English teacher I had in high school... :lol:

 

[photoman13]

I am actually in a long term relationship with an English teacher.