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Our Friend, the Semicolon English 2

Learn to use semicolons correctly to join independent clauses and lists for improved writing clarity and style.

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Our Friend, the Semicolon English 2

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  1. Our Friend, the SemicolonEnglish 2

  2. Our Friend, the Semicolon There are several ways to join TWO independent clauses: Grandma stays up late. She likes to watch TV. Two independent ideas, separated by a period.

  3. Our Friend, the Semicolon What if we try to combine the two ideas? Grandma stays up late, she likes to watch TV. Is this okay? Something’s wrong! We connected two independent clauses with only a comma. The dreaded COMMA SPLICE!

  4. Our Friend, the Semicolon We could insert a coordinating conjunction: Grandma stays up late, and she likes to watch TV. This is better! Note the comma that accompanies the coordinating conjunction.

  5. Semicolon Rule #1 Or, we could join the two sentences using a semicolon. Rule 12a: Use a semi-colon between two independent clauses that are closely related. Grandma stays up too late; she’s afraid she’s going to miss her favorite television program. Notice the word directly after the semi-colon is NOT capitalized.

  6. Practice Combine these two sentences: 1. My brother just got hired at the ice cream factory. I am looking forward to the treats he will bring home. 2. Those clouds look like storm clouds. We had better hurry and get home before they arrive.

  7. Semicolon Rule #2 The SECOND way to use a semicolon is with a conjunctive adverbs or transitional expressions– words such as however, moreover, therefore, nevertheless, consequently, as a result. Grandma likes to watch TV; therefore, she stays up too late.

  8. Semicolon Rule #2 Rule 12b: Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression. Notice the pattern: semicolon + conjunctive adverb + comma Grandma likes to watch TV; therefore, she stays up too late.

  9. Practice Combine these two sentences using a conjunctive adverb: 1. My brother just got hired at the ice cream factory. I am looking Forward to the treats he will bring home. 2. Those clouds look like storm clouds. We had better hurry and get home before they arrive.

  10. Semicolon Rule #3 • Rule 12c: • If you have TWO ICs that have commas in them, separate them with a ; AND a CC • A semi-colon + coordination conjunction (FANBOYS) IF AND ONLY IF commas appear within the clauses. • Don sat with Pat, Michael, and me; and Joe sat with John, Sean, and Jerry.

  11. Semicolon Rule #4 Rule 12d: Use a semicolon between items in a series that contain commas. There is a FOURTH AND FINAL use of the semicolon: to help us sort out monster lists, like this one: The committee included Peter Wursthorn, Professor of Mathematics, from Marlborough, Connecticut, Virginia Villa, Professor of English, from Hartford, Connecticut, Paul Creech, Director of Rad-Tech, from Essex, Connecticut, and Joan Leach, Professor of Nursing, from Farmington, Connecticut.

  12. Semicolon Rule #4 Be careful where you insert semicolons in this sentence. It should look like THIS: The committee included Peter Wursthorn, Professor of Mathematics, from Marlborough, Connecticut;Virginia Villa, Professor of English, from Hartford, Connecticut;Paul Creech, Director of Rad-Tech, from Essex, Connecticut; and Joan Leach, Professor of Nursing, from Farmington, Connecticut.

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