;

[Katana_Geldar]

Okay, who here has mastered the art of Mr Special Policeman, the semicolon?

It not only is a good way to have a pause in a long sentence; but also is a way to police those brawling commas, particularly in a list.

[Blaine.Bush]

I don't think you used it quite correctly there.

Not sure though. -_-

[Rauthiss]

I agree; the semicolon is a much maligned piece of punctuation.

Blaine.Bush is correct, though. In your sentence, a comma would have been appropriate; a semicolon is used for two related, but independent, clauses.

[13_CBS]

I gotta say, this thread title is the shortest one I've ever seen.

[Belkarsbadside1]

I don't think you used it quite correctly there.

Not sure though. -_-

why don't you go check; it would be useful to know.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Okay, who here has mastered the art of Mr Special Policeman, the semicolon?

It not only is a good way to have a pause in a long sentence; but also is a way to police those brawling commas, particularly in a list.

I would like to say that the use of a semicolon in the last sentence is, if not incorrect, frowned upon. Vimes would disapprove.

Semicolons are used to separate two (for want of a better word) separate but connected thoughts in a sentence, but cannot be simply used to replace a comma.

Edit: Me mam's a book editor; I pick up this kinda thing around her when she's working.

[Katana_Geldar]

I was aware that it was wrong when I did it but wanted a semicolon anyway, can I be excused now?

[Blaine.Bush]

I was aware that it was wrong when I did it but wanted a semicolon anyway, can I be excused now?

Nevar! Now finish your vegetables.

[Rauthiss]

I was aware that it was wrong when I did it but wanted a semicolon anyway, can I be excused now?

See, now there a semicolon would have been correct, at least from what I've been taught.

[Starscream]

How to use a semicolon: the most feared punctuation on earth.

Funny stuff.

[Serpentine]

Semicolon RAWKS!

[Katana_Geldar]

"My aunt's hairy knuckles are magnificent indeed, but I have no desire to stroke them."

[TheCountAlucard]

I've been using semicolons for a while now; I'm not really sure why they're getting this special attention...

[snoopy13a]

I don't like semicolons; thus, I rarely use them.

[Katana_Geldar]

I don't like semicolons; thus, I rarely use them.

That's not how you use one! You used a conjunction there; you don't need a semicolon.

[SinisterPenguin]

This thread is seriously meta.

Fake edit: ;

[TSGames]

Okay, who here has mastered the art of Mr Special Policeman, the semicolon?

It not only is a good way to have a pause in a long sentence; but also is a way to police those brawling commas, particularly in a list.

While I'm not too shabby with my American-English grammar and punctuation, I do have a special love for the oft misused semicolon.

Also, ";" is perhaps the most intriguing thread title I've seen since I joined these boards.

[Katana_Geldar]

I was actually wondering if the forum would let me use a one-character title; it surprised me when it did.

[Vaynor]

Okay, who here has mastered the art of Mr Special Policeman, the semicolon?

It not only is a good way to have a pause in a long sentence; but also is a way to police those brawling commas, particularly in a list.

You used a semicolon incorrectly.

Commas are how you pause in a long sentence, and semicolons are used to join two separate and distinct, yet usually related clauses.

[snoopy13a]

That's not how you use one! You used a conjunction there; you don't need a semicolon.

I used a conjuctive adverb; therefore, I can use a semicolon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semicolon

[Starfols]

I never really learned what the official usage for a semicolon is; I always used a rule of thumb.

I remember the difference between colon and semicolon was dependent on the importance of the clause, or something.

[Worira]

That's not how you use one! You used a conjunction there; you don't need a semicolon.

Note that if the second clause is preceded by an adverb, such as accordingly, besides, then, therefore or thus, and not by a conjunction, the semicolon is still required.

You just got Strunk'd; I just got Ninja'd.

[snoopy13a]

You used a semicolon incorrectly.

Commas are how you pause in a long sentence, semicolons are used to join two separate and distinct, yet usually related clauses.

They are also used for complex lists. For example, President Obama has lived in Jakata, Indonesia; Honolulu, Hawaii; Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; and Washington, D.C.

[Rauthiss]

You used a semicolon incorrectly.

Commas are how you pause in a long sentence; semicolons are used to join two separate and distinct, yet usually related clauses.

Fixed your comma splice. :3

[Katana_Geldar]

They are also used for complex lists. For example, President Obama has lived in Jakata, Indonesia; Honolulu, Hawaii; Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; and Washington D.C.

Fixed, I don't think that last comma needed to be there.

[Starscream]

Also, ";" is perhaps the most intriguing thread title I've seen since I joined these boards.

Seriously, who could possibly resist clicking it just to see if it is actually a thread about semicolons, or something more mysterious and sinister?

Incidentally, the Sinister Semicolons would make a good name for a rock band.

Edit:
As would My Aunt's Hairy Knuckles

[snoopy13a]

Fixed your comma splice. :3

We could have another thread dedicated to the dreaded comma splice. I use comma splices quite often, so I have to be extra careful.

[Katana_Geldar]

Out of interest, has anyone read Lynne Truss' book "Eats, shoots and Leaves"?

Hilarious and it's she who calls the semicolon the special policeman.

[Blaine.Bush]

Fixed, I don't think that last comma needed to be there.

No, it does. Washington, D.C. is just like Los Angeles, California. As far as comma usage goes, anyway.

[Vaynor]

Fixed your comma splice. :3

Ouch, that was embarrassing. Don't worry, I added a conjunction.