Andrewwhyte 1 #1 June 12, 2008 Just wondering. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LongWayToFall 0 #2 June 12, 2008 what is a semicolon? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #3 June 12, 2008 Quote what is a semicolon? ;You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 210 #4 June 12, 2008 Quote what is a semicolon? Someone who's only an asshat part of the time.Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #5 June 12, 2008 Yes. But about the only time you would use more than one semicolon in a sentence is when you are listing sort of long phrases that may use commas too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #6 June 12, 2008 Yes. Quote 5. Semicolons are also used to punctuate mixed lists in continuous prose writing: Four objects lay on the desk: a large book; a spiral-bound notepad; a glass vase containing flowers; and a silver propelling pencil. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #7 June 12, 2008 Quote Yes. Quote 5. Semicolons are also used to punctuate mixed lists in continuous prose writing: Four objects lay on the desk: a large book; a spiral-bound notepad; a glass vase containing flowers; and a silver propelling pencil. What's a propelling pencil?Does it come with a propeller hat?You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #8 June 12, 2008 OH REALLY, sometimes I really am concerned about the level of interlekt 'round here (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #9 June 12, 2008 Quote OH REALLY, sometimes I really am concerned about the level of interlekt 'round here Seriously, I've never heard of a propelling pencil.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #10 June 12, 2008 Sorry, thought that you were taking the piss. Must be a cultural thing. Mechanical Pencil...clicky (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,483 #11 June 12, 2008 Shropshire is correct. One may use use a semicolon between items in a series... Another example: I've been to boogies in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Dallas, Texas; Quincy, Illinois; Rosharon, Texas and Eloy, Arizona.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #12 June 12, 2008 I would think so; I use them all the time in formal writing; most people generally don't, though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #13 June 12, 2008 Stropshire and Bigun, Thanks for that. I was however thinking more along the lines of Andy908's example. Anyone have any grammar books that indicate that that usage is either permissible or not? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #14 June 12, 2008 Strop-shire = there's more than a grain of truth in that too. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denete 3 #15 June 12, 2008 Maybe if it was a for loop.SCR #14809 "our attitude is the thing most capable of keeping us safe" (look, grab, look, grab, peel, punch, punch, arch) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #16 June 12, 2008 QuoteAnyone have any grammar books that indicate that that usage is either permissible or not? I pulled my examples from the internet (Google is your friend...) clicky clicky (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #17 June 12, 2008 QuoteI was however thinking more along the lines of Andy908's example. Anyone have any grammar books that indicate that that usage is either permissible or not? I think that it's permissible, but it's usually advised to use the semicolon sparingly, so it would probably be best to not use it in that manner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leapinglizardto 0 #18 June 12, 2008 i have a bad habit of over using them at times. i picked it up from writing poetry & song lyrics. that & the fact that i'm a terrible typer + i hit it when i mean to use a period or comma & i'm too lazy & don't care enough to go back & correct. but usually i go to the opposite extreme and use little or no punctuation at all. until someone says something. (already got a couple of those here my 1st day). then i gotta try to use them more often. it's the effort not accuracy that counts. so don't ask me. i prefer to do without any of them saves time It's pretty pathetic when you have to TELL people you're fucking cool Skymama «narrative»This thread will lock in 3..2.. What a load of narrow-minded Xenophobic Bullshit!-squeak Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #19 June 12, 2008 Actually my grammar book claims that the use of the comma when the semicolon is called for is the most common mistake in English grammar. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #20 June 12, 2008 Right, but if you find that you need to use the semicolon the way that Andy used it in his example, then it would probably be better to reconsider your sentence structure so that you don't need to use more than one semicolon. Perhaps make another sentence? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #21 June 12, 2008 Quote I would think so; I use them all the time in formal writing; most people generally don't, though. I think that sentence could use a good semi-colonoscopy.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #22 June 12, 2008 QuoteSorry, thought that you were taking the piss. Must be a cultural thing. Mechanical Pencil...clicky oh we call that a Refill pencil or a "CLICK" pencilYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Croc 0 #23 June 12, 2008 (Dusting off my Elements of Style, Third Edition): If two or more clauses grammatically complete and not joined by a conjunction are to form a single compound sentence,the proper mark of punctuation is a semicolon. Also: In a series of three or terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last. As I have understood it, a semicolon is used to separate independent clauses, not lists."Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #24 June 13, 2008 So sad; The once-mighty Bonfire; Home to all those great boobie threads; Now reduced to discussions of punctuation. "There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broke 0 #25 June 13, 2008 There once was a mighty Bonfire; Sometimes the denizens would ire; The mods would get pissed; And then shake their fist; Baning the offender entireDivot your source for all things Hillbilly. Anvil Brother 84 SCR 14192 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites