LAURA FINEBERG COOPER
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Spoonful #7: SEMICOLONS SPEAK OUT

4/7/2019

7 Comments

 
Picture
SEMICOLONS are tired of being ignored and misunderstood. And they're really tired of being confused with colons! In order to be fair, I've agreed to let them speak first. 

SEMICOLONS: We work just like periods! How hard is that? 

ME: Don't get testy. Tell us more!

SEMICOLONS: We can connect two choppy sentences into one smooth sentence.  

ME: Can you show us an example?

SEMICOLONS: We thought you'd never ask. 
    Two choppy sentences - Mary is happy. She got her first A. 
    Smoothed into ONE - Mary is happy; she got her first A.
    See? That just rolls off the tongue.  


ME: I notice two important points:
#1) Don't capitalize the word following the semicolon(unless it's a name), since you've turned two sentences into one.  

#2) Semicolons are particularly useful when the two original sentences are related. Can you give us another example?


SEMICOLONS: Watch and learn! And would you please refrain from using colons?!?
     Two related sentences - John had to leave the party early. He had to work early the next morning. 
     Smoothed into ONE - John had to leave the party early; he had to work early the next morning. 

ME: Thank you, SEMICOLONS! This has been most illuminating. It seems to me, however, that there's more than one way to connect sentences together. Transition words like because, since, or any of the FANBOYS...

SEMICOLONS: This post belongs to US!! No other punctuation or transition words are allowed!!

(Psst! Up next: COLONS)

Thank you,
Laura Fineberg Cooper 

www.laurafcooper.com/my-grammar-blog
​cooperlaura@yahoo.com




7 Comments
Marianne Knowles
4/7/2019 08:44:31 pm

Dear Semicolon,
I am a huge fan. You offer a subtle way to show relationships between two complete thoughts, without transitions or conjunctions. Mastery of your use separates the star students from the merely competent, seasoned professionals from beginners, and language snobs from the hoi polloi. I'm so happy you've gotten to go first, for once!

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
4/7/2019 08:49:14 pm

(On behalf of SEMICOLONS)

Dearest Marianne,
We are thrilled to list you as our #1 fan!

Signed,
Satisfied Semicolons

Reply
Kathy Bui
4/8/2019 04:34:34 pm

So helpful and fun to read! Short and clear. Thank you, Laura!

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
4/8/2019 08:49:32 pm

Dear Kathy,

This one was super fun to write! So glad you enjoyed it and found easy to understand.

Sincerely,
Laura

Reply
Keri Demers
4/8/2019 06:09:06 pm

Clever and informative! Thanks, Laura!

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
4/8/2019 08:51:26 pm

Dear Keri,

Thank you for your comment! The semicolons and I appreciate it very much.

Sincerely,
Laura (on behalf of the semicolons - who are begging me to let them talk again!)

Reply
Kirstine Call link
4/9/2019 04:38:50 pm

Hilarious!!! And informative. Love your ability to explain grammar so succinctly!

Reply



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    ​A Spoonful of Grammar!

    Swallowing too many grammar rules at once can be hazardous to one's health. That's why my goal is to deliver one spoonful at a time - in the most delightful way.
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    Sincerely,
    Laura Fineberg Cooper

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