A plea on behalf of the semicolon.

[Casspar]

Writers everythere!

Please do not forget the humble semicolon, it is such a useful punctuation mark; I have read whole books where not one was to be found. If this continues we may well see it disappear from English literature from sheer neglect!

 

[The Judge]

Casspar -- go across to The Toolbox (a sticky at the top of Aspiring Writers) and write a piece in praise of the semi-colon and explaining its job. Hie thee thither. The comma has just been dealt with, so the time is ripe!

J

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

The semicolon won't fall into disuse while I am writing; I use it far too often for that.

In fact, I use so many of them, if they were sprinkled around among several other writers, there would be plenty for all.

 

[Nik]

Well, in my unhappy experience, it is considered the step-brother of both colon and comma. Betwixt and between, neither fish nor fowl, and I suspect I could have just used one...

Funny how book examples never seem to apply to what you're trying to say...

 

[Pyan]

I must confess to using ellipses and (especially) the em-dash where I could be using a semicolon - it seems to be easier on a keyboard.

 

[HoopyFrood]

I certainly won't be giving up semi-colons, I'm always using them. One of my favourite types of punctuation ('cos I'm cool like that and have favourites. I also like the curvy-ness of question marks).

 

[chrispenycate]

Do not despair; there are many semicolonic enthusiasts here.

For the semicolon is not merely a way of avoiding the "See Spot run" type of sentence, without weighing one's prose down with conjunctions; it is a style of thought, an "on the other hand" or a "supporting this position". It says "even though this is technically another idea, it is so enravelled with what I have just written that the two cannot reasonably be divorced."

So indeed semicolons should not be over indulged in, but they are useful. helpful members of punctuation if properly disciplined.

 

[Culhwch]

It says, "Even though this is technically another idea, it is so enravelled with what I have just written that the two cannot reasonably be divorced."

I also love how eloquent they are. What other punctuation mark would use the words 'enravelled' and 'divorced' in a sentence? I'll bet the comma couldn't offer a definition of either of those, and the full stop - well, don't get me started...

 

[J-WO]

I've recently built a semicolon sanctuary on the grounds of Fort Wo. Hopefully, they'll breed by next summer. I dread to think that our grandchildren may never see this most noble of endangered punctuation.

 

[Quadrivium]

I know that I will most likely anger some of you but hey I'm a new aspiring writer so I am sure that you will let it pass if only this once. I have never used a semicolon... 'exaggerated gasp' ...I don't know what its purpose is but reading this post has made me want to learn; it seams that it is used to extend a sentence that would otherwise be too long among other things (if i used it right?). If you could kindly direct me to the proper location of interest, that would be greatly appreciated! (feel free to judge my grammer and such it only helps in my learning to write!!)

 

[The Judge]

Not quite, Quadrivium. It doesn't 'extend' the sentence. What it does is link two clauses together, but its use indicates a longer pause than would be the case from simply using a comma. In that last sentence, for instance, the comma could have been replaced with a semi-colon - in which case the 'but' would have to be removed.

In your example, I personally wouldn't have used the semi-colon there, but I'm not enough of an expert to know if it's actually incorrect. For myself, I thought the two sentences needed a longer pause between them, probably a full stop. If you hadn't put in the ellipses and the 'exaggerated gasp' earlier in the sentence, however, that would have been a good place for one.

As yet there is nothing on the semi-colon in The Toolbox, but keep watching there - I'm hopeful that sooner or later, someone will take the hint and post a short essay on its utility. But if you want a crash course, put some work in the critiques forum and Chris will be all over your punctuation!

J

 

[Quadrivium]

Ha ha nice thank you, I might just do that! Your example in my work is the first sentence..right?So it would go something like this:"I know that I will most likely anger some of you; hey I'm a new aspiring writer so I am sure that you will let it pass if only this once."

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Actually, I wouldn't combine those two sentences into one with a semicolon. They just don't have that enravelled quality chris was talking about. Besides, the two parts of your newly created sentence are rambling enough without it.

Here's what I think is a better example:

Hey, I'm a new aspiring writer; I am sure you will let it pass this once.

Yes, this part would work with the "so" in the middle the way you have it, but the semicolon joins the two ideas while giving them each a little more emphasis because of the longer pause in the middle.

The difference created by using a semicolon instead of a word like "and" or "so" to link the thoughts is often a very subtle one. But as writers we need to watch out for the subtle things.

 

[Quadrivium]

Well then, I apologize on behalf of my rambling ways. Thank you for your input I will give it another try hopefully I will get it right (I find that if I use it properly I end up remembering better).
I have made a most tragic error; it is time for me to correct it.
Yes / No

I hope that was right.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Yes. That's exactly how to use it.

 

[Quadrivium]

B-E-A-utiful thank you for your coaching!!

 

[RcGrant]

The Punctuation Party

Full stops are stubborn, decisive little fellows who like to stand their ground. Nothing will get past them. Consider them soldiers on duty at the gate.

Commas, I tend to think of as being the socialites. They are vague, and flit around at parties, drinking too much, and flirting with all of the guests (especially the married ones!).

Colons are the type to elaborate on what everyone else says: unable to let go of a point, they expand until they feel said point has had enough circulation, before they finally let go.

Semi-colons, however, are eloquent, and subtle; they are the type that only the sophisticated of eye and ear will be able to fully understand. They'd be the only ones at the party to notice when the wrong wine was being served.

*slinks out of the back door*

 

[chopper]

i, also, am fighting the good fight; semi-colons will always find a decent welcome down at Chopper's Castle.

 

[J-WO]

Exclamation marks would roar as they walked through the door of the party and collapse on the sofa half-way through the night.

 

[Ursa major]

And there's a question mark over the appearance of.... Well, you know.


If anything, I probably use too many semicolons**. (I certainly use quite a lot of them in my longer posts on the Chrons.)






** - Although is this truly possible?