2007-03-30 15:17:49 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
The semi-colon is often used to join together two independent clauses -- in other words, it joins two clauses that could be sentences. For example:Mary drives a Mercedes; Joanne drives a Chevrolet.
These two clauses could be separate sentences: "Mary drives a Mercedes. Joanne drives a Chevrolet." However, when we use a semi-colon, we are usually suggesting that there is a relationship between the sentences, but we are not making that relationship clear. Usually, you can tell from the context what the relationship is. In the example above, the relationship is probably contrast; we could also use "but" to make this clear: "Mary drives a Mercedes, but Joanne drives a Chevrolet."
When we use a semi-colon, it is often because we want to make the reader think about the relationship for herself. This is useful in many situations, such as when writing cautiously, ironically, or humorously.
2007-03-30 15:24:16 · answer #1 · answered by ~MIMI~ 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You would use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of them contain a comma.
Or when you have two completely different ideas (independent clauses) in a sentence, and both are of equal importance.
Does that make sense?
These are the two biggest reasons I use them. You can get more info at the website below.
2007-03-30 15:26:21 · answer #2 · answered by FamilyMember 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A semicolon is used to seperate a sentence what had 2 similar ideas, but yet should be seperated. it is basicly a period and comma at the same time.
EXAMPLE: The sky is blue; I like that color!
2007-03-30 15:21:55 · answer #3 · answered by codeylol 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
For a pause in speaking longer than a comma; shorter than a full stop. Also when listing things after the colon : answers; questions; ideas; replies etc.
2007-03-30 15:21:52 · answer #4 · answered by =42 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To connect two indirectly related clauses in a sentence.
2007-03-30 15:21:55 · answer #5 · answered by Jebbie 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In between two sentences that can stand alone but you want to combine them.
2007-03-30 15:22:09 · answer #6 · answered by Nico 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
next to a large truck called a semi that is carrying cow intestines
2007-03-30 15:21:50 · answer #7 · answered by diannegoodwin@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when you want to not say the whole sentence like I went to the mall;battlefield and it was fun
2007-03-30 15:22:11 · answer #8 · answered by lexis the answer doc. 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Where it's supposed to be used.
2007-03-30 15:21:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
in the place of "because"; it just makes sense
2007-03-30 15:20:55 · answer #10 · answered by scarlet begonia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋