Grammar question
Started by: Kitsune | Replies: 8 | Views: 518 | Closed
Kitsune2Posts: 6,011
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View Profile Semicolons are foreign to me. I hardly ever use them.
Would this sentence be grammatically correct? Word isn't bringing anything up.
Twenty years later, Chris is the record holder for the youngest CEO of a big business; Frank is an Olympic mile runner with times unreachable by his competition; Janet is a daredevil sky diving instructor always willing to try new things to quench her thirst for thrilling adventures.
LakEPosts: 5,459
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View Profile Semicolons are foreign to me. I hardly ever use them.
Would this sentence be grammatically correct? Word isn't bringing anything up.
I've never had a strong grasp on semi-colons.
I think it's a longer pause than a comma. Keeping it on the same topic, but changing something to do with the topic or something.
As I said, I never had a grasp on them.
So, to me, the sentence would be fine. It seems to have an overuse of the semi-colons, but yeah.
Minty2Posts: 43
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View Profile yea semi-colons basically are used to change what your talking about in the sentence, but still generally keeping on the same subject. So ya it looks to me that the sentence is grammatically correct.
Kitsune2Posts: 6,011
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View Profile Great. Thanks. I thought it looked a bit odd, but I need anything to get to the 5 page mark in this paper, and that includes stretching sentences with semicolons. :D
If there are any other supporting or different views, please post them.
Scarecrow2Posts: 9,168
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View Profile I don't think it's right.
It would be more appropriate to use commas in this situation.
Twenty years later, Chris is the record holder for the youngest CEO of a big business, Frank is an Olympic mile runner with times unreachable by his competition, and Janet is a daredevil sky diving instructor always willing to try new things to quench her thirst for thrilling adventures.
PS: I am a grammar Nazi.
alive2Posts: 1,331
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View Profile I think it looks a little weird. Semicolons are usually used as what they are, a mix between normal colons and commas. You use them when the latter part of the sentence sort of explains the first part. As in "I am not dead; my father saved me from the fire."
However, according to wikipedia, you can "use a semicolon between closely related independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction."
I think your sentence applies for that, so you can use semicolon, but for most people it will look a little weird.
darkcampainger2Posts: 159
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View Profile Semicolons are used to show association. My teacher likes using this example:
He touched her arm; she slapped his face.
What the semicolon reveals is that she slapped him because he touched her arm.
However, in your sentence, each of those clauses appear to be completely unrelated. I agree with Jawz: commas would be more appropriate (and take up the same amount of space as a semicolon).
Komaru2Posts: 263
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View Profile I agree. It should be using commas.
Kitsune2Posts: 6,011
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View Profile Well, semicolons could be used, I guess, but I'll go with the commas to avoid the risk, and as you guys said, the odd look of the sentence.
I appreciate your help, guys! Now I know more about semicolons!
(I heart grammar too, Jawz, and will kill jews for it, but I seem to not be as affiliated with everything. :3)
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