Search results for 'tag:Adverbs tag:Semicolons' matching tags 'Adverbs' and 'Semicolons'

Re: Use of however (Guest:Sam)

richard_s — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:09:10 GMT

Yes, 'however' is an adverb. Â More precisely, it is a 'conjunctive adverb'. Â You can use 'however' or 'but' in the example sentence, but 'however' is much more formal. Â 'But' is more casual. Â Note that 'but' will have a comma before it, and 'however' should have a semicolon before it and a comma after it. Â Also, note that we cannot use however between two nouns, only between two clauses. Â We tend to use 'however' in formal writing for more important connections and 'but' in formal writing for less noteworthy connections.

Re: Comma Question-"and therefore," or "and, therefore,"

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:21:14 GMT

However, therefore, moreover, and other words like them are conjunctive adverbs. They go between two complete thoughts. When you want to use one of these words, you have two good choices. Check to see if you have a complete thought on both sides of the "conjunctive adverb." If you do, then you can use a period to make two sentences, or you can use a semicolon after the first complete thought.

GOOD: Basketball is my favorite sport. However, table tennis is where I excel.

ALSO GOOD: Basketball is my favorite sport; however, table tennis is where I excel.

BAD: Basketball is my favorite sport, however table tennis is where I excel.

ALSO BAD: Basketball is my favorite sport, however, table tennis is where I excel.

Re: Punctuation-commas and so on

bhikkhu1991 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:14:34 GMT

Hello Mister Micawber,

I appreciate your kind reply. Here, I would like to point out the second sentence that has two independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb is required to be separated by a semicolon. Further, a comma is then needed after the conjunctive adverb 'then'. I have recently found out about this information on the Internet, http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/grammar_subordinate.html , 'Subordinate Conjunction, Note 2, (B)'.

He usually has a shower, and then he has a shave and brushes his teeth.

He usually has a shower; then, he has a shave and brushes his teeth.

Thank you.

With best wishes.

Re: Plz Correct me !

Cute572 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:09:19 GMT

Thanks Goodman!

Could anyone tell me, in descriptive writing what tense usually writer choose.

And Guys please reply my 2nd post last two sentenses as well. And explain we can separate verb and subject i.e mirror and curtain, by using comma for emphasis like Feebs did?

Third sentence, I have made some changes. Please check this as well.

The soft curtain hanging and swinging [I am not using comma because it will separate both curtain Subject and hanging Verb] over the rood with moving winds and touching my chair [or desk] unintentionally. [This adverb is appropriate fits?]

Or following structure seemed less congested

The soft curtain hanging over a rood, and swinging with moving [can use melodious or rythemetic or some word instead of moving?] winds; [semicolon used here or comma ?] somehow, [comma is ok here?] unintentionally touches my chair at constant intervals. [puntucation is correct ?]

And what about this similar sentence grammar?

Above window, long rood holds the curtain from the upper edge of window. Is it ok to use and we would this underline part direct object ?

I request to explain each of these three versions with punctuation i used

Thanks !

Re: conjunctive adverb

Clive — Thu, 08 May 2008 04:04:26 GMT

Hi,

When do we need to use a conjuntive adverb with a semicolon and use it at the start of a separate sentence? You never need to use it with a semi-colon. If you choose to, that's a subjective decision by you, based on your feelings about style.

accordingly

I excelled in the last test; accordingly, I was given a commendation following the tradition.

I excelled in the last test. Accordingly, I was given a commendation following the tradition.

I feel when the clauses are short and are related closely in content -- more so than the cases involving the starting a new sentence, then a semicolon followed by a conjunctive adverb is appropriate. Thus, the second one wouldn't be appropriate; whereas, the first one would be.

I don't see anything wrong with #2 above. In my opinion, the word 'accordingly' at the start of a sentence already establishes a close connection with the previous sentence. I don't see why you would need to try to make it closer still. Anyway, it's your choice. However, here is some advice. Writing that is full of semi-colons starts to seem almost irritating to the reader. In other words, my advice is to use semi-colons sparingly.

whereas

I excelled in the last test; whereas, I flunked the test before that.

I excelled in the last test. Whereas, I flunked the test before that.

Again, the same argument. This is a different case, because 'whereas' is a true conjunction. 'Whereas, I flunked the test' is not a grammatical sentence, anymore than 'Because I flunked the test' is a grammatical sentence. This means that #2 is incorrect. it also means that #1 is incorrect, because both "parts" of a sentence with a semi-colon have to be capable of standing as independent sentences.

You need to write it as I excelled in the last test, whereas I flunked the test before that.

Best wishes, Clive

conjunctive adverb

Anonymous — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:07:03 GMT

Hi,

When do we need to use a conjuntive adverb with a semicolon and use it at the start of a separate sentence?

accordingly

I excelled in the last test; accordingly, I was given a commendation following the tradition.

I excelled in the last test. Accordingly, I was given a commendation following the tradition.

whereas

I excelled in the last test; whereas, I flunked the test before that.

I excelled in the last test. Whereas, I flunked the test before that.

Again, the same argument.

Re: conjunctive adverb with comma and semicolon

Clive — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:23:13 GMT

Hi,

I think you said the following do not need a conjunction because a semicolon establishes the connection.

She loved him with all her heart; she never told him. sounds OK

I took out the garbage; it was smelly. sounds stupid.

Can I write like these for those two examples of yours? Yes.

She loved him with all her heart; however, she never told him that.

I took out the garbage; as a result, the house is free from foul smells.

If I follow your explanations, 'however' and 'as a reult' would be unnecessary since a semicolon is providing the connection. Am I right? Generally speaking, yes, although the conjunction clarifies the nature of the connection, while a semi-colon by itself leaves the reader to think about what is being said and work out the connection for himself.

Also, the four words that you said is not conjunctions are from a list of conjunctive adverbs and I believe those words as many conjunctive adverbs do and can, if not all of them, function as simple adverbs.

Also, as to the fact that both a conjunction and a semicolon not being necessary, please tell me why many online help sources have examples that have both a semicolon and conjunction? Just because something is not necessary does not mean that you can't do it if you want to.

Nothing can be unconditional; consequently nothing can be free. (George Bernard Shaw) Would you say 'consequently' is not used as a conjunction here but as an adverb? I didn't say that 'consequently' was not a conjunction. My dictionary lists it as both a conjunction and an adverb. However, I personally see it as more of an adverb here. I would write it with a conjunction, thus. He loved her, and consequently he married her'. How would I know? My first reaction to ask why you need to know as long as you understand the meaning of the sentence.

"Always go to other people's funeral; otherwise, they won't go to yours." (Yogi Berra) Would you say 'otherwise' is an adverb, not a conjunction? My dictionary lists it as an adverb. I would write it with a conjunction, thus. 'Give me your money, or otherwise I will kill you'. How would I know? My first reaction to ask why you need to know as long as you understand the meaning of the sentence.

What do you say about this? Does it contradict any of the helpful points you brought out or do they fit right in? Can you tell me what it means here?

The conjunctive adverbs that connect two main clauses are usually separated (punctuated with) by a semicolon preceding the word or term. Except the one-syllable conjunctive adverbs and also, which is then have a comma after them. I don't agree. These words that you are calling conjunctive adverbs are used a lot. Semi-colons are not used a lot.

Here are a couple of closing comments.

First, I've said it before, but I would like to stress it. Semi-colons are not used as much as I think that you think they are.

Second, here is some advice. Try to think less about about where a semi-colon should be used, and more about why it should be used.

eg Why would you want to say

'She loved him with all her heart; however, she never told him.'

instead of 'She loved him with all her heart; she never told him.'

or 'She loved him with all her heart. However, she never told him.'

or 'She loved him with all her heart. She never told him.'

Best wishes, Clive

Re: conjunctive adverb with comma and semicolon

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:25:45 GMT

Thank you, Clive.

I think you said the following do not need a conjunction because a semicolon establishes the connection.

She loved him with all her heart; she never told him. sounds OK

I took out the garbage; it was smelly. sounds stupid.

Can I write like these for those two examples of yours?

She loved him with all her heart; however, she never told him that.

I took out the garbage; as a result, the house is free from foul smells.

If I follow your explanations, 'however' and 'as a reult' would be unnecessary since a semicolon is providing the connection. Am I right?

Also, as to the fact that both a conjunction and a semicolon not being necessary, please tell me why many online help sources have examples that have both a semicolon and conjunction?

Nothing can be unconditional; consequently nothing can be free. (George Bernard Shaw) Would you say 'consequently' is not used as a conjunction here but as an adverb? How would I know?

"Always go to other people's funeral; otherwise, they won't go to yours." (Yogi Berra) Would you say 'otherwise' is an adverb, not a conjunction? How would I know?

What do you say about this? Does it contradict any of the helpful points you brought out or do they fit right in? Can you tell me what it means here?

Thank you.

Re: conjunctive adverb with comma and semicolon

Clive — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:32:11 GMT

Hi,

Usually a semicolon is used to with two independent clauses when a conjunctive adverb is used. I don't agree. A semi-colon joins two independent clauses.

eg correct Tom loved Mary; Mary did not love Tom.

eg i~~ncorrect~~ Tom loved Mary; whereas Mary did not love Tom. 'Whereas Mary did not love Tom' is not an independent clause, because it can't stand as a sentence by itself.

If you use a conjunction, you don't need a semi-colon, because the conjunction itself supplies the connection.

Good. But I feel the two independent clauses can be independent in structure but cannot be independent in thought linkage -- that is, they have to related in thoughta and ideas. Am I right? I think I am right because I found some online references supporting it. Yes, you are right. The semi-colon indicates a close connection. I would add that the two parts should have some style or importance.

She loved him with all her heart; she never told him. sounds OK

I took out the garbage; it was smelly. sounds stupid.

What is confusing is when what looks to be two independent clauses in structure is connected by a comma, rather than a semicolon. You don't neesd a semi-colon becsause there is a conjunction to supply the connection.

The average bamboo floor costs about $5 to $7 a square foot, not including installation, whereas walnut or pine can cost nearly $10 a square foot. OK

I feel that the color part can be said to be an independent-in-structure clause, but I could be wrong. Why did the person write it as this with a semicolon?

The average bamboo floor costs about $5 to $7 a square foot, not including installation; whereas walnut or pine can cost nearly $10 a square foot. Not OK

Should they in semicolons or in separate sentences and not commas? How can I know?

1. This task requires cooperation among members, similarly it could be said that it requires dedication. Two sentences. 'Similarly' is not a conjunction.

2. He was poor, therefore it was hard for him to buy basic necessities.Two sentences. 'Therefore'' is not a conjunction.

3. Give him a break. He was busy at that time, moreover, he was sick to really pay attention to what he was doing. Two sentences. 'Moreover' is not a conjunction.

4. He was poor, neverthless he gave the poor man the money.Two sentences. 'Nevertheless' is not a conjunction.

In examples 1 to 4 above, you could also use a semi-colon to join the two parts. I wouldn't, because the adverb supplies sufficient connection.

Let me finish by offering my personal opinon about semi-colons. Don't use them excessively, or your writing will start to seem unnatural and irritating to the reader. About one semi-colon a month sounds acceptable. I never use them myself.

After English learners are taught about semi-colons, they often have them in just about every sentence on every page. Bad idea.

There are other people on the Forum who do not share my semi-colon phobia.

Best wishes, Clive

conjunctive adverb with comma and semicolon

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:00:33 GMT

Hi,

Usually a semicolon is used to with two independent clauses when a conjunctive adverb is used. Good. But I feel the two independent clauses can be independent in structure but cannot be independent in thought linkage -- that is, they have to related in thoughta and ideas. Am I right? I think I am right because I found some online references supporting it.

What is confusing is when what looks to be two independent clauses in structure is connected by a comma, rather than a semicolon.

The average bamboo floor costs about $5 to $7 a square foot, not including installation, whereas walnut or pine can cost nearly $10 a square foot.

I feel that the color part can be said to be an independent-in-structure clause, but I could be wrong. Why did the person write it as this with a semicolon?

The average bamboo floor costs about $5 to $7 a square foot, not including installation; whereas walnut or pine can cost nearly $10 a square foot.

Should they in semicolons or in separate sentences and not commas? How can I know?

1. This task requires cooperation among members, similarly it could be said that it requires dedication.

2. He was poor, therefore it was hard for him to buy basic necessities.

3. Give him a break. He was busy at that time, moreover, he was sick to really pay attention to what he was doing.

4. He was poor, neverthless he gave the poor man the money.