Semicolon, Comma, Colon

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Arthur

#9397 Mon, 29 Sep 03 12:48 AM

When to use them?
Does anybody know?

Arthur

Joined on Sat, Sep 27 2003

Junior Member (10)

Colons, Commas, Semicolons

ryan smith

#9400 Mon, 29 Sep 03 03:37 AM

Such a wide open question. But, hey, I like to talk.

Use a semi-colon to connect two related independent clauses.

"They took the money from the vault; they took it quickly."

-Related ideas, clauses stand on their own, semi-colon is OK.

Use a comma to separate clauses and items in lists.

"Since I had such a great day, I decided to spend all the money on my wife, my mistress, and my girlfriend."

Use a colon to separate equal things (like an = sign).

"Just remember three things: be on time, bring the money, and come alone."

-here things = those three items.

ryan smith

Joined on Tue, Sep 9 2003

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Clauses, Colons, Commas, Semicolons

mindserve

#18080 Sun, 04 Jan 04 02:54 PM

How do I know if they are independent clauses? Should they be able to stand on their own?
For example:
I like apple pie_______________not liking apple pie would make me silly.

Is the second part an independent clause? I would think a comma would work in this case, but then I think I would have a comma splice...

mindserve

Joined on Sat, Oct 18 2003

New User (08)