Correct: Because cows smell, they offend me. The first part is not an independent clause, so no semicolon is required.
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Rules for Using Semicolons A semicolon is most commonly used to link in a single sentence two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. When a semicolon is used to join two or more ideas parts in a sentence, those ideas are then given equal position or rank. Some people write with a word processor; others write with a pen or pencil. Use a semicolon between two independent clauses that are connected by conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases.
Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the items contain commas. Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if the clauses are already punctuated with commas or if the clauses are lengthy. You can replace the comma and coordinating conjunction with a semicolon since the connection between the two independent clauses is clear without the coordinating conjunction Correct: John finished all his homework; Kathleen did not finish hers.
Incorrect: Although Nate is a kind employee; that new guy is not. Rule to Remember Use a semicolon between related sentences when the second sentence starts with either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression. Correct: Although Nate is a kind employee, that new guy is not. Semicolons with conjunctive adverbs and transitional expressions Use a semicolon to replace a period between related sentences when the second sentence starts with either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression, such as for example, for instance, that is, besides, accordingly, furthermore, otherwise, however, thus, therefore.
Conjunctive Adverb: Correct: Kathleen worked for many hours on all her homework; nevertheless, she was unable to finish all of it. Correct: Harvey is a good driver; moreover, he is a friendly one. Transitional Expression: Correct: Tony finished reading three novels this week; in contrast, Joan finished only one novel.
Semicolons used to replace commas Use a semicolon to replace a comma when you use a coordinating conjunction to link independent clauses that already contain commas. The comma in this case makes these independent clauses difficult to read because of the other commas in the clauses: Incorrect: My dog is sick. She won't eat, run around, or jump, nor will she go for a walk with me. Rule to Remember Use a semicolon to replace a comma when you use a coordinating conjunction to link independent clauses that already contain commas.
In this example, using a semicolon makes it easier to read the two independent clauses on either side of the coordinating conjunction: Correct: My dog is sick. She won't eat, run around, or jump; nor will she go for a walk with me. Here is another example where semicolons improve readability: Correct: Some classes require students to write essays, research papers, or reports; but others focus more on group projects.
Confusing: Angela loves many breeds of dogs including small dogs, such as terriers and beagles, medium dogs, such as border collies and cocker spaniels, and large dogs, such as Great Danes and mastiffs. Rule to Remember Use semicolons to replace commas when individual items in a series are long or contain commas.
Using semicolons between the lengthy elements helps the reader understand the separation, as shown in the example below: Preferred: Angela loves many breeds of dogs including small dogs, such as terriers and beagles; medium dogs, such as border collies and cocker spaniels; and large dogs, such as Great Danes and mastiffs. Example incorrect :The very best peaches are: those that are grown in the great state of Georgia.
Example incorrect : My favorite cake is made of: carrots, flour, butter, eggs, and cream cheese icing. This violates the rule that the material preceding the colon must be a complete thought. Look, for example, at the following sentence:. Example incorrect : There are many different types of paper, including: college ruled, wide ruled, and plain copy paper. The colon should simply be removed. Ask yourself a question: does the material preceding the colon stand on its own?
One way to tell if the colon has been properly used is to look only at the words that come in front of the colon. Do they make a complete thought? If not, you may be using the colon improperly. Check above to see if you have made one of the most common mistakes. If it is important that you follow one of these styles precisely, be sure to use the appropriate manual to look up the rule.
If the following phrase is a complete independent clause, you may choose to capitalize it or not. Whichever approach you choose, be sure to be consistent throughout your paper. Example with an independent clause, showing two different approaches to capitalization: The commercials had one message: The geeks shall inherit the earth.
The first thing to know when talking about dashes is that they are almost never required by the laws of grammar and punctuation. To set off material for emphasis. Think of dashes as the opposite of parentheses. Where parentheses indicate that the reader should put less emphasis on the enclosed material, dashes indicate that the reader should pay more attention to the material between the dashes.
Dashes add drama—parentheses whisper. Dashes can be used for emphasis in several ways: A single dash can emphasize material at the beginning or end of a sentence. Example: After eighty years of dreaming, the elderly man realized it was time to finally revisit the land of his youth—Ireland.
Two dashes can emphasize material in the middle of a sentence. Some style and grammar guides even permit you to write a complete sentence within the dashes.
Example: Everything I saw in my new neighborhood—from the graceful elm trees to the stately brick buildings—reminded me of my alma mater. Example complete sentence : The students—they were each over the age of eighteen—lined up in the streets to vote for the presidential candidates.
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