Semi-colons... a brief review.
(For more information, scroll down the topics. I did a lesson on semi-colons a few years ago.)
Primarily, semicolons join two independent clauses. In other words, two complete sentences that are very closely linked. The clauses are "stand-alone" in that they each contain all the necessary elements of a complete sentence. Noun + verb. Noun + verb. The key is they are closely linked.
She was hungry; she hadn't eaten all day.
Tom was late for work; his alarm didn't wake him up.
Winter has arrived; it snowed last night.
There are other uses for the semi-colon, but I'll stop there for now. I like the variety offered by using the semi-colon. It helps give emphasis to statements that might get "lost" in the mundaneness of using "because," "for," and "since." For the Writing Challenge, it can shave off a word or two, while tightening up meaning. Just don't get carried away. Too much of a good thing is ... too much.
Semi-colons
Moderators: RedBaron, itsjoanne, RedBaron, itsjoanne, RedBaron, itsjoanne
Semi-colons
Ann Grover Stocking
"What remains of a story after it is finished? Another story..." Eli Wiesel
"What remains of a story after it is finished? Another story..." Eli Wiesel
Re: Semi-colons
Thanks Ann,
Your explaination is clear and succinct.
I appreciate the simplicity of noun + verb; noun + verb.
Judy
Your explaination is clear and succinct.
I appreciate the simplicity of noun + verb; noun + verb.
Judy
Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance. -Jude 2 NIV
Judy Sauer
http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=23323
Judy Sauer
http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=23323
Re: Semi-colons
Thank you Anja that was very clear and straight to the point.