The Semicolon is used to join two separate, closely related sentences (independent clauses). Semicolons are not used with conjunctions (but, and, so, etc.).- My favorite writing conference is WIFYR. I wish I could go this June.
- My favorite writing conference is WIFYR; I wish I could go this June.
I'd never thought much about the semicolon, one way or the other until readingTrent Reedy's bio before attending Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers last June. It stated that Trent was for the eradication of all semicolons.
Really, someone against a punctuation mark? I was surprised; I asked a writing friend if it was a joke. Apparently, it is not. Many people petition for the eradication of semicolons and there is also a Semicolon Appreciate Society.
That opened a whole can of worms, or should I say colons. What say you? I rarely use them, but I don't see a point in eradicating. I'm curious, does this little punctuation mark have you in a dither? Are you Team Semicolon? Or Team Not Semicolon? (Or should that be Team Two Periods?)
Good tip again, I have made notes of all past tips
ReplyDeleteto help with future writing,
Yvonne.
Thanks Yvonne, I'm glad my posts are helping you. I'm learning a ton writing them.
DeleteIt is funny because Patrick Rothfuss said people who use semicolons were wankers in a recent blog. I have never given them much thought. I guess some people really don't like them.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun read.
http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2013/04/punctuation/
Thanks, Brandon. That's funny he called semicolon users wankers.
DeleteI must be one of the few that actually likes the semicolon. I must have a lot of independent clauses in my head.
ReplyDeleteDon't we all;-)
DeleteI don't use them very often. Thanks for the tidbits about them.
ReplyDeleteI love semicolons. Sometimes two sentences just need to be more snuglgly!
ReplyDeleteI like semicolons,but use them sparingly -- like my fragrance. :)
ReplyDeleteI like that. Semicolons are like fragrances, use them sparingly. Thanks for the follow!
DeleteI am Team Semicolon all the way. How else can I connect all the slightly disconnected thoughts that flow from this head of mine? :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! exactly, I'm like you:)
DeleteI use them, but very very rarely. On the other hand, I could be the poster child for "Addicted to the Em-dash." Haha.
ReplyDeleteI am too. I have to restrict myself. I love the em-dash.
DeleteI am a great lover of grammar and punctuation, but it amuses me when people get in such a lather over whether or not a certain punctuation is needed at all. I love the semi-colon. I think it has its place, but if one doesn't like it, one might consider just not using it. Maybe a better use of time and effort than getting rid of it is to teach others how to use it well.
ReplyDeleteWell said. And I agree about a better use of time:D Thanks for visiting my blog.
DeleteI made a conscious decision to eliminate semi-colons from my YA novel SURVIVAL COLONY NINE because they seemed too formal for my narrator's voice. Partly, too, I was trying to get away from the academic writing that I'd pursued before turning to fiction. But I'm certainly not opposed to their use; I think they can be a great way to link closely related thoughts.
ReplyDeletehaha-great comment. I can understand, esp. with 1st POV, avoiding semicolons. My husband does that academic writing stuff. Whenever I read it my eyes glaze over. If I give feedback he always tells me why it needs to be written in a certain way:)
DeleteOnce in a great while, I'll use them, but I don't care for them all that much. I don't think they should be removed all together, though. That's just silly.
ReplyDeleteHa- that picture makes me laugh! I rarely use semicolons as well, but I don't seen any reason they should be eradicated.
ReplyDeleteSometimes a semi-colon is the only solution. But it's very rare indeed.
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm getting caught up on all the grammar I missed .... scuttles off for more posts ...
I only use a semi-colon is to separate items in a complex list.
ReplyDeleteSeems like semi colon is gaining so much attention these days. I am reading the second writing on this little punctuation this week.
ReplyDelete-Fellow Blogger from A to Z!
Oh geez, I feel like everybody is against this little guy. I've just gotten rid of them in all my manuscripts. haha
ReplyDeleteI like the semi colon and use it a lot; otherwise I'd be using too many periods.
ReplyDeleteHmm, how amusing that there is a rally against the semi-colon. :) The semi colon never bothered me so I don't intend to bother it. :)
ReplyDeleteHave fun with a-z.