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How do you use a semicolon in an example?

Tristen Bonacci
Licensed English Teacher
Tristen Bonacci is a Licensed English Teacher with more than 20 years of experience. Tristen has taught in both the United States and overseas. She specializes in teaching in a secondary education environment and sharing wisdom with others, no matter the environment. Tristen holds a BA in English Literature from The University of Colorado and an MEd from The University of Phoenix.

Tristen Bonacci

Licensed English Teacher

Expert Answer

An example of a semicolon in a sentence could be "I love bananas; I love apples." This uses parallel construction—in other words, you have the same thing on both sides of the semicolon (a subject and a verb).

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Question

Can you use a semicolon instead of ", but"?

Community Answer

You can use a semicolon followed by "however,". A semicolon alone would not provide the indication that you are about to contrast something with what you just said, and you need to provide that indication.

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What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Hyphens connect words to each other. Dashes are used to add emphasis or indicate a pause in thought.

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Can I properly use semicolons to link more than two independent clauses in one sentence?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, you can link three or more such clauses together.

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Question

Is this correct? "Oh, passing pedestrian; projection of my own persona - be free from your lonely coma!"

Donagan

Top Answerer

Use a comma instead of that semicolon. A semicolon implies a stronger pause than you meant there.

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Can "for example" be used behind a semicolon?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, although more typically "for example" follows a period/full stop.

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Is this correct? "Our solar system includes 8 planets; comets; asteroids; dwarf planets; moons; artificial satellites; dust; ice; and rocks."

Donagan

Top Answerer

Use commas there instead of semicolons because of the simplicity of the list. Use semicolons in lists that contain other punctuation or items that are more complicated.

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What about to combine a question/desire? "What's a good time for me to call her in the evenings; without interfering with dinner, homework, and bath; yet still reach her before bedtime?" Corrections?

Sofia rosario

Community Answer

Those don't really need any semicolons so the semicolons should not be placed; you should add commas there instead.

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