Did you get a line about the semicolons who were arrested ? They were feed back - to - back sentence .
Bad paronomasia aside , semicolons play an important role in grammar . Presented as a period atop a comma butterfly , a semicolon ’s usage fall between the intermission of a comma and the full stop of a period . This punctuation mark mark is what joins together a first independent clause with a disjoined , 2d independent clause .
Semicolonsare grammatically herculean connectors that are most commonly used to join freestanding but nearly relate thoughts , or disjoined sovereign clauses , into a compound condemnation .
read the semicolon in your piece of writing toolbox and knowingwhen to use a semicoloncan assistance you create maximum encroachment . And , while semicolons may appear impressive ( and therefore unmanageable ) , thegrammatical rulesthey follow are quite simple .
A Semicolon Impacts Pace and Flow
Semicolonsare most ordinarily used to separate complete view in a single sentence , or to combine related to thoughts into one condemnation .
For example , take these myopic sentence :
On their own , these sentences are hunky-dory . However , while it ’s true that these examples are grammatically correct when compose as separate simple sentence , the effect is light and choppy . Using a semicolon to connect these unadulterated thoughts can lend a rhythmical version to the written Bible .
For example , here are the same two sentences join by a semicolon :
Both good example are grammatically right when written as either two conviction or as a single sentence joined by asemicolon . recognise when to deploy a semicolon is often a matter of essence . A semicolon can help vary sentence length , and this can create an encroachment on the tempo of a narrative . Simply put , using a semicolon to relate two sentences can change the flow of writing and have a unlike gist on lector .
3 Questions to Remember About Semicolons
If the principle surrounding the use of semicolon seem confusing , there is a comparatively simple way to twofold - check your conclusion to put a semicolon within a sentence . Ask these three enquiry to find out whether a semicolon is being used properly when joining two prison term , main clause or complete thoughts :
If the response to all of these interrogation is yes , then you are most probable using a semicolon in a grammatically correct position .
The words that come before the semicolon should form a complete sentence ; likewise , the Son that come after the semicolon should work a staring sentence .
Look to Conjunctive Adverbs for Clues
note the last conviction in the previous surgical incision . See that semicolon before the news " as well " ? In this character , " likewise " is a conjunctive adverb . Conjunctiveadverbssuch as likewise , otherwise , nevertheless , moreover , therefore , then , finally , however and consequently are clue .
Consider the following prison term , for example :
recall though , the semicolon only forego a conjunct adverb if the semicolon joins two independent clauses or complete prison term .
Organize Items in a List
Organizing particular in a list is commonly pretty square . have ’s say you are going to the grocery store depot and need to remember what items to buy for fruit salad .
Your list may look like this :
But what if your listing became a little more complicated , descriptive or detailed ? Then asemicoloncan keep it organized . When some of the token in a list already control comma , deploy a semicolon becomes important . In cases such as these , a semicolon not only keeps the details attached to the correct nouns , but it can excrete discombobulation .
For example :
Using a semicolon to keep the correct words and phrase together in a sentence could look like this :
Semicolons Are Powerful Punctuation Marks
Used properly , a semicolon can be a powerful punctuation mark peter that signals to a reader that there is more to get along in a sentence . Semicolons can lead to great clarity in the write word and a good experience for the referee . Beware , though . If overdone , the impact of a semicolon begins to diminish . Used judiciously , semicolon pack a punctuation mark punch .
