« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Down

Author Topic: Colon and Semi Colon usage  (Read 1176 times)

Online Yeager

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 10167
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« on: April 30, 2007, 10:17:38 PM »
I have two sentences that are in need of some english advice.  Specifically my use of the colon and semi colon.

1) Jon is finally able to enjoy doing what he loves to do most; Experiencing the great outdoors.

2) The book sums it up best for me in this way: Life is what you make of it, not what it makes of you.

My question is am I using the colon and semi colon in the correct manner?

Thanks!
Logged
"If someone flips you the bird and you don't know it, does it still count?" - SLIMpkns

Offline lasersailor184

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 8938
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2007, 10:23:22 PM »
They seem to pass my giggle test, but I ain't no english major.
Logged
Punishr - N.D.M. Back in the air.
8.) Lasersailor 73 "Will lead the impending revolution from his keyboard"

Offline AWMac

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 9251
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2007, 10:37:29 PM »
1st sentence needs a period.
2nd sentence needs a period.

Hanging participles, conjoin them.

1) Jon is Ghey.

2) This is Jon's Ghey Book.

Which now questions Yeager mind thought... Yeager only want's to talk about Colons... and a Semi in his Colon.....

Ewwww...


:D

Mac
Logged

Online Yeager

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 10167
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2007, 10:38:30 PM »
dOh! :p
Logged
"If someone flips you the bird and you don't know it, does it still count?" - SLIMpkns

Offline Rolex

  • AH Training Corps
  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3285
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2007, 10:39:46 PM »
The first sentence is incorrect in many ways. A semicolon can be used to combine two closely-related sentences. The clause after your semicolon is not a sentence. There is also a parallel problem and no capitalization should be used.

Rewriting the sentence is left as an exercise.

No capitalization is use after a colon, either.
Logged

Offline AWMac

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 9251
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2007, 10:42:50 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Rolex
The first sentence is incorrect in many ways. A semicolon can be used to combine two closely-related sentences. The clause after your semicolon is not a sentence. There is also a parallel problem and no capitalization should be used.

Rewriting the sentence is left as an exercise.

No capitalization is use after a colon, either.


Rolex while we determine Yeagers use of his Colon, can you help me find my Watch?


Pun and Hurl

Mac
Logged

Offline JB73

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 8780
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2007, 10:49:18 PM »
I may be wrong, but IIRC a semi-colon is used similar to this: Jeremy Piven was quite good in the movie "Smokin' Aces"; a much more serious role than he usually plays.

A connected thought with a pause, but not a full stop like the end of a sentence.


It is a quite rare thing to actually use a semi-colon; it is usually replaced by a regular comma, but a comma infers something more on the same topic. A semi-colon is just a related matter, but not necessarily directly connected.



Oh Hell get a real English major in here, I am probably totally off-base, since I usually ignore all grammar rules when typing here anyway.
Logged
I don't know what to put here yet.

Offline AWMac

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 9251
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2007, 11:03:34 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by JB73
I may be wrong, but IIRC a semi-colon is used similar to this: Jeremy Piven was quite good in the movie "Smokin' Aces"; a much more serious role than he usually plays.

A connected thought with a pause, but not a full stop like the end of a sentence.


It is a quite rare thing to actually use a semi-colon; it is usually replaced by a regular comma, but a comma infers something more on the same topic. A semi-colon is just a related matter, but not necessarily directly connected.



Oh Hell get a real English major in here, I am probably totally off-base, since I usually ignore all grammar rules when typing here anyway.


Got it.. laymans terms.. when yer in bed with the wifey this "semi colon" is just a pause... but not a full stop. Mkay been there. Yes quite rare but sometimes it's a related matter when not neccessarily directly connected. Hence the term "Semi Colon"? or "Taint"?

I can relate.  And I do usually ignore all my Gramma's Rules here anyways.

:aok

Mac

Did I nail the meaning?
« Last Edit: April 30, 2007, 11:08:12 PM by AWMac »
Logged

Offline Mr No Name

  • Silver Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1835
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2007, 11:04:11 PM »
I have a colonoscopy scheduled for this Friday, should this make me an authority on the subject?
Logged
Vote R.E. Lee '24

Offline AWMac

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 9251
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2007, 11:06:47 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Mr No Name
I have a colonoscopy scheduled for this Friday, should this make me an authority on the subject?


Man yer gonna fart alot... Giggle in Recovery!!!

:aok

Mac


Hope all goes well.
Logged

Offline Halo

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3222
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2007, 11:13:53 PM »
(quote) Comma and Semi Colon usage
I have two sentences that are in need of some english advice. Specifically my use of the colon and semi colon.

1) Jon is finally able to enjoy doing what he loves to do most; Experiencing the great outdoors.

2) The book sums it up best for me in this way: Life is what you make of it, not what it makes of you.

My question is am I using the colon and semi colon in the correct manner?
(unquote)

Better like these:

1) Jon is finally able to enjoy doing what he loves to do most: experiencing the great outdoors.

2) The book sums it up best for me in this way: Life is what you make of it, not what it makes of you.

Capitalization after a colon depends on how strong the phrase is.  Complete sentences are sometimes capitalized after a colon, phrases rarely if ever.  

Semicolons are usually used to join items in a series that include commas, e.g.:  Fred has two cars, one red; Jill has three cars, none red; and Tony has one car, green.

Semicolons also are useful for two closely related sentences that are more effective more closely linked than separated by periods, e.g.:
John has three cars but doesn't like any of them; Jill has two cars and likes them both.  

Being weaker than periods but stronger than commas, semicolons are compromises not often seen in contemporary usage.
Logged
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. (Seneca, 1st century AD, et al)
Practice random acts of kindness and senseless beauty. (Anne Herbert, 1982, Sausalito, CA)
Paramedic to Perkaholics Anonymous

Offline Rolex

  • AH Training Corps
  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3285
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2007, 11:16:37 PM »
Actually, the second part of his first sentence is not a clause.

There has to be a subject, and the two independent clauses must be closely related. In your example, JB, a comma would suffice. The second part cannot stand alone.
Logged

Offline AWMac

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 9251
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #12 on: April 30, 2007, 11:21:04 PM »
Dammm is this Jill from the early '60's books?

Nooooo... it was Jane right?

I get sooo confused sometimes.

:confused:

Mac
Logged

VWE

  • Guest
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #13 on: April 30, 2007, 11:47:55 PM »
Hey! Speaking of the colon...

Colonoscopies are no joke, but these comments during the exam were
quite humorous ... A physician claimed that the following are actual
comments made by some of his patients (predominately male) while he was
performing their colonoscopies:
 
 
1. "Take it easy, Doc. You're boldly going where no man has gone before!
 
2. "Find Amelia Earhart yet?"
 
3. "Can you hear me NOW?"
 
4. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"
 
5. "You know, in Arkansas, we're now legally married."
 
6. "Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?"
 
7. "You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out..."
 
8. "Hey!  Now I know how a Muppet feels!"
 
9. "If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!
 
10. "Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity."
 
11. "You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?"
 
12. "God, now I know why I am not gay."
 
13.  "Should I smile for my Kodak Moment?"
 
 
And the best one of all...
 
 
 
14. "Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is not up there?"
Logged

Offline SKJohn

  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 792
Colon and Semi Colon usage
« Reply #14 on: May 01, 2007, 03:31:42 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Mr No Name
I have a colonoscopy scheduled for this Friday, should this make me an authority on the subject?


Just hope you don't wake up during it like I did!  It's a royal pain in the prettythang!:D
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Up
« previous next »