semi colons

[Jo Zebedee]

No worries Springs, if that's the context of the story and the character, i.e. not modern age and rather formal, then ignore what I said about pov. If that's how the character would think of his mum, then go for it.

What I'm getting at with "he looked behind" is that, while we can suss out the meaning, on first reading it appears grammatically incorrect.

"To look behind" is a prepositional phrasal verb which requires a prepositional object.

For example, "She takes after her mother," after is the preposition which introduces the prepositional phrase "after her mother". It would be grammatically incorrect to say "she takes after," because the reader is forced to ask, who does she take after? So too with "he looked behind." Behind what?

But here you're using behind as an adverb to mean back or backwards. The reader's first reaction to looked behind would be to ask: behind what? For clarity you should likely change "behind" to back or backwards or around.

This is really helpful, thankyou.

 

[RJM Corbet]

... Since then, in this document only (to my great relief), my automatic spell check is off. If I run a spell check it will correct, but no more friendly green lines under typo errors. Word, so helpful...

I think you can shut that spell/grammar check off on Microsoft Word via theTools options, Bowler. Or you can option to keep only the red spell check, but lose the green grammar check. I don't have a microsoft writing programme on this computer, but I'm sure someone here can tell you the steps to stop your computer nagging you.

(I use the free Apache Open Office writing programme, which seems to have all the same features, and basically the same familiar layout as microsoft word. It's quite adequate anyway, and free ...)

 

[Bowler1]

I want my word nagging me, RJM, but with all the alien names and such a large document its shut its self off. If anyone knows how I can make word take 100's of spelling errors in a large document, PM me please.

 

[Mouse]

You just right click the word and press 'add to dictionary.'

I also have the free one, RJM, it's not bad but I have noticed that if you send docs to people words'll end up joined together sometimes. Don't know why.

 

[Abernovo]

Mouse, I've only had that when trying to convert Open documents to old format MS Word .doc. Never had a problem converting .odt to MS Word 97/XP, and I've had to do that a lot. Not sure about the most modern Word versions.

 

[RJM Corbet]

... but I have noticed that if you send docs to people words'll end up joined together sometimes. Don't know why.

Ok, wasn't aware.

Mouse, I've only had that when trying to convert Open documents to old format MS Word .doc. Never had a problem converting .odt to MS Word 97/XP, and I've had to do that a lot. Not sure about the most modern Word versions.

It seems to 'save as' is most formats. I always convert to MS Word 97/XP. Never had a problem. Apache reads microsoft, not v/v? The 'we try harder' principle ...

 

[Warren_Paul]

I always found Open Office horrible to use. At the moment, Word 2013 (Office 365) is free to use, but I'm not sure how much longer the preview goes for. But even after the preview is up, I believe the package is going to work on a subscription system from now on, instead of having to pay huge amounts to own a copy.

 

[juelz4sure]

This is just a side not I just learned how to use a semi colon (Don't judge me ) but since I've learned how to use them correctly. I love them, with that said I feel like we have a lot in common now I feel like I'm using them to much. lol

 

[Warren_Paul]

That tends to happen, Juelz. I know somebody who used to comma-splice like crazy, but after getting that out of her system she turned to semi-colons and now her writing is riddled with them - many in places where a semi-colon should never go.

 

[hopewrites]

Spring I'm borrowing one of your semi colon threads (hope i got the right one) to ask if I used it correctly in this sentence.

To show compassion for another expands our human experience; we are not merely surviving, we are thriving.

one sentence is not worth a crit thread, so I figured I'd borrow one over here in GW and knew there were a few about semi colons.

 

[alchemist]

It works okay, but a full stop would work as well. As a semi colon fan, I would be quite happy to read this but others might not.

 

[HareBrain]

There's nothing technically wrong with it, and I'd read it without objection, but even as a semi-colon addict I'd use a dash there myself -- I think it warrants a longer pause.

 

[Bowler1]

To show compassion for another expands our human experience; we are not merely surviving, we are thriving.

I don’t have any problems with this line. I think a link to the second surviving/thriving part is needed, or it would read as odd to me if written as a separate statement. I like to use a dash for added emphasis/pause, but that might just be me. You could use a dash, as the importance of surviving/thriving may be key to your plot, but I’m not a big dash fan, so I’d stick with the Semi.

Talk about sitting on the fence, and it doesn’t half chaff some bits that don’t need chaffing!

 

[hopewrites]

Whoo! First time driving a semicolon and I didnt crash it. Dashes dont really mesh with my voice, and I like to write as I would speak. If the semi works I'll take it, wont claim a first success, but I didnt crash, so that's pretty good.