Reply
Sun 16 Apr, 2017 01:11 am
Does anyone think these sentences below use incorrect punctuation:
1) Mr. Smith; however, told me a different story.
2) He had; however, no idea what to do.
I know it's common to use a semi-colon before the word "however", but I think the above sentences are awkward or incorrect. Does anyone think these sentences are valid? Or should the sentences be modified?
Thanks!
Both sentences illustrate incorrect use of the semicolon. A good guide is here:
http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Semicolons.html
@centrox,
According to the guide, it seems to be inappropriate to convert the semi-colon to a comma. How would you rewrite the above two sentences?
@robOst08,
robOst08 wrote:
According to the guide, it seems to be inappropriate to convert the semi-colon to a comma. How would you rewrite the above two sentences?
In both sentences, where a semicolon is used, the correct punctuation is a comma.
@robOst08,
A quick rule of thumb is if both halves of a sentence separated by a semi colon are able to stand on their own as sentences. That's not the case in the examples you've given.
@robOst08,
Rob I don't see anything wrong with 2
robOst08, you may safely ignore dahileman.
@dalehileman,
dalehileman wrote:Rob I don't see anything wrong with 2
The semicolon is a gross error.
@robOst08,
Centrox knows how to properly use semicolons; others in this post do not.
@robOst08,
Code:safely ignore dahileman.
says Cen, and indeed at 86 I do goof once in a while. I had misread 2 as if 'He had (done it); however, I've no idea what to do'
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace