9
votes
To use a colon or comma
The colon is correctly used (it is placed where the word 'namely' could be used instead), and positioned (it follows words that could stand alone as a complete sentence, and precedes something ...
- 70.8k
5
votes
Accepted
Authority on Semicolon usage
I will put this out for the benefit of anyone seeking "the" way to do anything in written English:
There is no single authority on English punctuation. In fact, one could argue there are tens of ...
- 17.7k
5
votes
Accepted
Colon or Semicolon for this sentence
This needs to be a comma because the first part of the sentence ("If I ever told you I like apples") cannot stand on its own as a sentence; "I lied" is needed for it to make sense. This is called a '...
- 302
4
votes
Accepted
Am I using the semicolon correctly here or should a period be more appropriate?
Are the two clauses grammatically complete sentences?
Are they closely linked to each other?
The answer to the first question is yes. The second question is a matter of judgement. But there is a ...
- 202k
4
votes
What's more appropriate? (colon and semicolon usage)
In many cases, one can choose either a colon or a semicolon:
She excelled in baking: her cakes and cookies won many awards.
The colon here emphasizes that the second half of the sentence is a ...
- 14.4k
4
votes
To use a colon or comma
Two sentences can be placed one after another using a semi-colon. That is one of the main reasons to use one. The semi-colon is used in place of a conjunction.
1) I've come to a tough conclusion and ...
- 41.2k
3
votes
Accepted
A comma or a semicolon?
"eating two portions of rice and cheese" is a participial phrase. According to this reference, no punctuation is required when a participial phrase follows a main clause, although I think it works ...
- 59k
3
votes
I want to... because A; B; and C. Semicolon necessary to avoid comma splice?
I would say no, semicolons are not appropriate here. Semicolons are used to separate what would be independent sentences, and the reasons here are logically separate, but not grammatically. For ...
- 40.8k
2
votes
Should there be a semicolon before "and" in this sentence?
No, you don't need a semi-colon and no, you don't need to rephrase.
The only reason you'd need a semi-colon would be if the sentence were ambiguous without one. There is no ambiguity here because it'...
- 8,035
2
votes
Should there be a semicolon before "and" in this sentence?
I think that example almost works with either a comma or a semi-colon.
Semi-colons have (at least) two uses:
One: To combine two clauses that could each stand as a sentence on its own, without using ...
- 62k
2
votes
Do I need a comma or semi colon after "held to" in this sentence?
The comma you've used here isn't wrong, but I don't think it makes the sentence as clear as it could be. That doesn't necessarily mean we should use a semi colon instead; the short answer is that I ...
- 1,208
2
votes
Why are semicolons used in "More details: control PRO; pro; other instances of ellipsis" instead of simple commas?
Semicolons are generally used to join complete sentences that have related meaning:
I was sick yesterday; by this morning I felt better.
In such a case, it takes the place of a co-ordinating ...
- 14.9k
2
votes
should I use semi-colon or just a comma?
You use a semicolon to join two complete sentences that are in some way closely related. Now "It seems like one" is a complete sentence. but
Financing arts is not a horrible idea, but when the ...
- 202k
2
votes
A semi-colon with "however" vs. a comma with "but"
"But" is treated as a conjunction, that joins two sentences together. This is often punctuated as
....., but .....
"However" is an adverb, and the sentence starts with "however". But as these ...
- 202k
2
votes
Accepted
Using semi-colon in "You must do this: do A; and do B"
Not a semicolon.
A semicolon can be used instead of a comma to separate items in a list if the items themselves have commas. This can avoid ambiguity:
You should: Call Mary, Mike, or Peter and get ...
- 202k
1
vote
Accepted
Can semicolon work as 'that is' in a sentence?
No.
A quick Google search brings this up:
A semicolon is most commonly used to link (in a single sentence) two independent clauses that are closely related in thought.
So that means what is before ...
- 36.7k
1
vote
Accepted
independent clause or non-essential element, semi-colon or comma?
You are correct; it should be a semicolon. Where each phrase could be correctly written as a complete sentence, use a semicolon.
Note the above two sentences, in my answer; in the second sentence, "...
- 1,759
1
vote
Semi-colon vs comma usage in long list
I did not read the sentence carefully enough from the beginning, sorry.
Comma is used when separating elements of the same statement.
The semicolon is used instead of a full stop, when total ...
- 9,173
1
vote
Semicolon or colon in this sentence
Yes, a semicolon is appropriate there. That sentence is joining two independent clauses without using a conjunction. It could be rewritten as two sentences:
SCM deployed this. It is ready for ...
- 40.9k
1
vote
Is this the correct use of a semicolon?
No. A semicolon separates two things that could each stand as a sentence, it simply gives them a greater association. "The tests that matter most" is not a full sentence, it is a noun phrase.
What ...
- 22.7k
1
vote
Sentence comma check
I know others here disagree with me, but I feel that the use of the comma is generally optional. Any "rules" that tell you otherwise are not entirely correct. Commas are used to mimic the pauses ...
- 88.1k
1
vote
Sentence comma check
I think the best choice would be no comma, but the comma could be acceptable. The semicolon is definitely incorrect, because semicolons are used to separate independent clauses, while "in the tower" ...
- 7,227
1
vote
Accepted
Correct way to enumerate ideas in English
Your use of a colon, semicolons, and commas is perfectly acceptable.
From the University of Leicester:
Use the semi-colon to separate items in a list when one or more items contain a comma.
...
- 36.3k
1
vote
Accepted
Is the use of semicolon in the mentioned text correct?
A semicolon may be used to join two closely related independent clauses. The rule here is that both the group of words that comes before the semicolon and the group of words that comes after it should ...
- 9,495
1
vote
Accepted
little doable or very little to do?
These are my suggestions: There is little else we can do about this issue except work harder or other than work harder there is little else we can do about this issue.
- 3,909
1
vote
Colon & Semi-colon before AND
Simply put, those sentences from your text are wrong. Colons are used when related information follows, especially with lists of things after the phrase "as follows" or "the following". Semicolons are ...
- 1,343
1
vote
Colon & Semi-colon before AND
And is a coordinating conjunction. Semicolons join two independent clauses that are NOT connected by a coordinating conjunction, unless the clauses are really long or already have several commas.
...
- 36.7k
1
vote
Colon or Semicolon for this sentence
Actually, what you want is a comma:
If I ever told you I like apples, I lied.
- 3,103
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