Semicolons How important are they NEC FACET Center

Semicolons: How important are they? NEC FACET Center

Don’t be afraid of semicolons; they can improve your writing! Have no fear, “Pun ky” is here! I fight the forces of ake m s n bad colo i m s. I e u punctuatio. S o v r n. me ne w to o h now. k t ’ n do hem t e s u

What can semicolons do? Semicolons can: • add sentence variety. • correct run-on sentences. • rid your writing of short, choppy sentences. • eliminate confusion in lists of details.

ADD SENTENCE VARIETY We like to construct sentences with similar structure, but sometimes we need a little variety. Semicolons can connect two complete sentences that share similar thoughts; they can also connect short, choppy sentences and separate items in a list when the items themselves also contain commas.

EXAMPLE This paragraph contains short, choppy sentences and long lists of items. It’s too confusing! My 7 th birthday party was the best party I’ve ever had. There were pony rides and a clown. There were red and orange balloons. There were streamers hanging from the ceiling. A giant banner with “Happy Birthday” ran the length of the dining room wall. The cake was chocolate with white icing. The ice-cream was my favorite flavor: Neapolitan. I remember the day of the party was beautiful, sunny and bright, cloudless, breezy, and no rain, and everyone wore shorts and t-shirts. The best part, however, was my gift. My parents gave me a bicycle.

PARAGRAPH REVISED This revision is much better! My 7 th birthday party was the best party I’ve ever had. There were pony rides and a clown. In addition to the red and orange balloons, there were streamers hanging from the ceiling; and a giant banner with “Happy Birthday” ran the length of the dining room wall. The cake was chocolate with white icing; furthermore, the icecream was my favorite flavor: Neapolitan. I remember the day of the party was beautiful, sunny and bright; cloudless, breezy, and no rain; and everyone wore shorts and t-shirts. The best part, however, was my gift. My parents gave me a bicycle.

Rule #1 Let’s practice That’s okay. using semicolons I’ll show to break up runyou! on sentences. Hey, wait a minute! I don’t know what a runon sentence is.

What is a run-on sentence? When two independent clauses are joined together without proper punctuation between them. Independent Clause Ex: The suspicious man walked down the street humming to himself he knew people were watching his every move. I’m glad What is an you asked; independent come on, I’ll show clause? you! Independent Clause

Clause = a group of words containing a subject and a verb. There are two types of clauses: Independent and Dependent. � Independent Clause � Contains a subject, a verb, and makes a complete thought. � Can stand alone as a sentence. Subject: person or thing doing the action Verb: action/what is being done by the subject Ex: The sun rises in the east. Complete thought

� Dependent Clause � Contains a subject and a verb but is missing a complete thought. � Cannot stand alone as a sentence. � Depends on an independent clause to complete thought. � Is subordinate to an independent clause. subject verb Ex: Although we went to the movies subordinating word � Helps show the sentence as yesterday. subordinate to an independent clause. This clause does not have a complete thought; therefore, it’s a fragment rather than. Wait a complete sentence. a minute! What is subordination?

SUBORDINATION Subordination is when one thought in a sentence is less important than another thought. Egyptian kings are powerful, …but not as powerful as Egyptian gods. Egyptian kings are subordinate to Egyptian gods.

CORRECTING DEPENDENT CLAUSE FRAGMENTS Because a dependent clause cannot stand alone, combine it with an independent clause to complete thought and produce a complete sentence. Dependent Clause Ex: Although we went to the movies we still feel as though we have done yesterday, nothing during spring break. Now we have a complete sentence! Independent Clause Use a comma only if the dependent clause is at the beginning of the sentence.

CORRECTING RUN-ON SENTENCES The suspicious man walked down the street humming to himself he knew people were watching his every move. This is a run-on sentence. There needs to be a sentence break.

Okay, I understand runons, but how do I fix them? Add a semicolon between the two independent clauses!

CORRECT RUN-ONS WITH A SEMICOLON Use a semicolon to indicate a break between two independent clauses. Ex: The suspicious man walked down the ; street humming to himself he knew people were watching his every move. This rule is used when the subjects of the two clauses are closely related. Think of it as a continuation of your thoughts, but they need to be broken into 2 sentences.

MORE EXAMPLES 1. 2. 3. The computer technician said my hard drive is fried; it will cost hundreds of dollars to retrieve the stored information. LESSONS TODAY! There’s a plane in FREE the FLYING sky pulling a banner; it says “FREE FLYING LESSONS TODAY!” My brother, the musician, broke his foot last night; he jumped off the stage during a concert, but no one caught him!

Fix the following run-ons by inserting a semicolon where necessary Yesterday, my sister borrowed my car without asking; then she ran over a nail and popped one of the tires. Sylvester won the pie eating contest; he heate 10 10 whole pies in 3 minutes. My favorite book as a child was Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing; ititwas wasso sofunnythat. I Ireadititoverand andover. The gel inserts in my shoes are starting to rub against my my toes, toes; II should replace them with new inserts.

Rule #2 Sometimes our essays are filled with short, choppy sentences. Let’s talk about how to fix them using semicolons.

SHORT, CHOPPY SENTENCES But I like short sentences. They’re safe. They make me feel like a big man. I like to knock out long sentences. Everyone should speak and write in short sentences! Not so fast They break up Strongman! your writing, I’m going to add confusion, knock out your and bore your short, choppy reader. sentences!

SEMICOLONS AND TRANSITION WORDS. Use a semicolon with a transition word to connect two closely related sentences. Ex: The baker burnt the loaves of bread this morning; therefore, he must start over from scratch. A transition can do many things, such as additional information, change direction, show contrast, etc. When using a semicolon and a transition, you must use a comma after the transition.

OTHER TRANSITION WORDS Consequently On the other hand Furthermore Moreover Thus Still In addition As a result Ex: Joel went to school without his homework; consequently, he had to stay late to make up the assignment. Ex: Miranda left the beauty shop feeling like a queen; furthermore, her friends raved all night about her new style. Ex: The Springfield Cardinals lost their game against the Tulsa Drillers; as a result, their 6 -week losing streak continues.

FIX THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BY ADDING A SEMICOLON, A TRANSITION WORD, AND A COMMA. 1. Jackie’s brother wants to see the new Pixar animation movie will take him totake see ithim tomorrow. movie; she therefore, she will to see it tomorrow. 2. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers danced and sang together in 10 films hearts of millions of films; they thus, won theythe won the hearts of th century. Americans during the early 20 millions of Americans during the early 20 th century. 3. “Soda” and “pop” are used interchangeably to describe sweetened, carbonated beverages terms are beverages; the however, the terms generally regional in their usage. are generally regional in their usage. 4. Everyday, Sam rides home on the city bus; asenjoys a bus he the ride because he gets to “people-watch. ” result, he enjoys the ride because he gets to “peoplewatch. ”

Short, choppy sentences hurt the flow of your writing. Okay, I understand how to fix short, choppy sentences, but tell me again It’s better to combine phrases why they’re bad. and thoughts into longer, cohesive, correctly punctuated sentences. This way your reader won’t feel bogged down or disinterested in disconnected thoughts and ideas.

Rule #3 Sometimes when we create lists of items (like a grocery list), we also have extra detail we need to give about the items. We don’t want to confuse the reader by using too many commas. So, we can use semicolons to separate each item.

ITEMS IN A LIST Hey ma, give me a PBJ with grape jelly, purple and jiggly, no crusts, soft middles only, and none of that wheat bread stuff, all course and grainy! Oh yeah! Respect your ma, too! Hey kid, your sentence is crowded with too many commas. Use semicolons to separate the items in your list

USE SEMICOLONS TO SEPARATE LISTS OF ITEMS ALSO CONTAINING COMMAS. Well Mr. Knowit-All, how should I fix this? And be quick. I gotta meet my gang! 1 st item uses a comma Who’s your gang, the jungle-gym kids? And, the name’s Punky! Hey ma, give me a PBJ with grape jelly, purple and jiggly, no crusts, soft middles only, and none of that wheat bread stuff, all course and grainy! 2 nd item uses a comma 3 rd item uses a comma

You can fix this sentence by separating each item with a semicolon! Also, the name Aw is of my gang shucks, the “Green T’s” that ‘cause we only wearwasn’t green so thard! shirts! Hey ma, give me a PBJ with grape jelly, purple and only ; jiggly no crusts, soft middles ; and none of that wheat bread stuff, all course and grainy!

More Examples The hot-air balloon soared above the trees, touching the leaves as it passed; floated below the clouds, catching the mist that dropped; and swept past mountains, knocking snow off their tops. The duck on the pushcart sped down the sidewalk, squawking at onlookers; wheeled into the open streets, honking its nose at oncoming cars; and splashed into the cool pond, catching air as it raced down the boat ramp.

Fix the following sentences by adding semicolons to separate the items in the list. The semi-annual millionaire’s skydiving exhibition will be held in several locations across the U. S. , including Greenville, South Carolina, Carolina; Joplin, Missouri, and Normal, Missouri; and Normal, Illinois. Martin walked through the pumpkin patch searching for the perfect pumpkin. His ideal pumpkin would be very large, as big as his arms could hold, hold; aa gorgeous color, bright orange with no no blemishes, and the right blemishes; and the right shape, perfectly round with no dents.

Additional Rule Off with his head! Tell me what Halt! Who this means, or brings me this I’ll have your rule? head! You may want to use a Settle down It is I, Punky, long semicolon little guy; with I’ll the protector of explain that it to contain sentences punctuation. you! other commas and a coordinating conjunction.

Remember how you must talkedto combine Dependent Clause use. We a comma a dependent about with an independent clause if the independent clause is at the and beginning dependent of the clauses, right? sentence? Comma because the dependent clause is at the beginning of the sentence. Even though Paul loves to swim, the water was simply to cold today. Independent Clause Well, sometimes we like to combine this sentence with another complete sentence by using a coordinating conjunction.

Even though Paul likes to swim, the water was simply too cold today, so he will visit the neighborhood pool tomorrow. “So” is a coordinating conjunction Let’s use a semicolon before “so. ” This will make the sentence less confusing. This sentence may be too confusing with this many commas!

Even though Paul likes to swim, the water was simply too cold ; today so he will visit the neighborhood pool tomorrow. Unlike the rule with semicolons and transition words, don’t use a comma after a coordinating conjunction! There are 7 coordinating conjunctions: And But Or Nor For Yet So

More Examples: While I am at the store, please vacuum the living room; and then I want you to clean the bathroom. Since I became president of the cooking club, we have created 6 new recipes; yet we still don’t know which one to enter in the annual amateur chef contest. Unless we join some extracurricular organizations, neither of us will be receiving any awards; nor will we be allowed to attend the banquet. Before next season, the team will need to raise funds for new uniforms; or they may have to play in mismatched jerseys.

Fix the following sentences by using a semicolon. Whenever Don’s grandmother buys him new clothes, she often buys them two sizes too big, big; so so he he is is unable to to wear them before they go go out of of style! Since theme of Molly’s birthday party is pinwheels, everyone will be making their very own pinwheel to take home, home; and the birthday cake will be be shaped like aa pinwheel.

Fix the following sentences by using a semicolon. Although Jimmy was enjoying the ice-cream cone, it melted all over his new t-shirt, t-shirt; but his mother wasn’t upset because the look on on Jimmy’s face was nothing but delight. Since becoming independently wealthy, Lucy stays in the sun all afternoon reading books, books; for she enjoys not having to to work a a full-time job.

Thanks Punky, I’m not afraid anymore! Remember, semicolons can: Following the simple • rules add we sentence variety. discussed for usage will • semicolon correct run-on sentences. help improve your • rid your writing of short, writing! choppy sentences. • eliminate confusion in lists of details.