Grammar Two: Colons, Semicolons, Comma Splices PDF

Grammar Two Colons Semicolons Comma splices All sentences are made out of clauses. In Grammar One, we talked about independent clauses (complete clauses) and dependent clauses (incomplete clauses). Let’s talk about some different ways to connect clauses together to make...

Grammar Two Colons Semicolons Comma splices All sentences are made out of clauses. In Grammar One, we talked about independent clauses (complete clauses) and dependent clauses (incomplete clauses). Let’s talk about some different ways to connect clauses together to make grammatically pleasing and correct sentences. Let’s talk about text flow for a second It’s important to vary the length and structure of your sentences to avoid awkward or repetitive syntax*. *syntax just means the arrangement or organization of words in a sentence. Readers often don’t notice good syntax, since it fades into the background. But readers will often notice bad syntax right away – it will feel choppy or awkward or difficult to understand. Gary Provost Gary Provost Let’s talk about text flow for one more second Sentence length is one way to vary the syntax of your writing. So is using different grammatical structures; inserting a semicolon or a colon or a dash can help us change up how the syntax feels to the reader. You can go your whole academic career or even your whole life without using a single semicolon or colon, for instance, and many people do. On the other hand, they’re a fun and interesting tool in your writing toolbox once you get the hang of them. What is the purpose of a semicolon? A semi-colon is like a hinge; it connects two complete things. In this case, the things are clauses; we should always find a complete, independent clause on both sides of a semi-colon. Either of these sentences could also end with a period; each of these pieces stands would stand on its own if separated from the other clause. Ideally, semi-colons connect clauses with related ideas; on the other hand, they can be a useful way to break up the flow of your text. Semicolon ground rules Use a semi-colon to connect two independent clauses You should be able to switch out a semicolon for a period and still have both sentences make sense and be complete You could also switch out a semicolon for a coordinating conjunction: FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO FANBOYS In other words, semicolons and coordinating conjunctions are both ways of showing the relationship between two sentences. Correct ways to write the same information: You can connect two independent clauses using a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction, or a period. A semi-colon is like a hinge; it connects two complete things. A semi-colon is like a hinge because it connects two complete things. A semi-colon is like a hinge and it connects two things. A semi-colon is like a hinge. It connects two things. Incorrect ways to write this information A semicolon is like a hinge, it connects two things. à When you use a comma to connect two independent clauses without using a coordinating conjunction, this is called a comma splice. A semicolon is like a hinge. And it connects two things. àWe already know that beginning an clause with a conjunction means it is a dependent clause, even if it has a subject and verb like an independent clause. àDependent clauses are grammatically incorrect when presented as a full sentence. An alternate use for semicolons: lists Semicolons can also be used to help format lists. We use semicolons in lists if any of the items contain commas. Wrong: I like cats; dogs; rabbits; and small horses. Right: I like cats, dogs, rabbits, and small horses. Wrong: I like cats with small ears, big tails, and white fur, rabbits with long ears, and brown dogs. Right: : I like cats with small ears, big tails, and white fur; rabbits with long ears; and brown dogs. More examples of semicolons in lists There are basically two ways to write: with a pen or pencil, which is inexpensive and easily accessible; or by computer and printer, which is more expensive but quick and neat. Classic science fiction characters in this study include Spock from Star Trek; Cylon Raiders from Battlestar Galactica; and Han Solo, Leia Organa, and Luke Skywalker from Star Wars. Notice how even one instance of a comma in listed items requires a semicolon For dinner I thought we’d go a little crazy and eat all the expensive stuff in the freezer; twice baked potatoes; those steaks we’ve been saving; maybe even some shrimp on the side, as long as they’re before the best-before date on the package. Finally: the humble colon There is one key rule for using colons: no matter what, whatever precedes a colon must contain an independent clause. In other words, the first half of the sentence before the colon must be able to stand on its own as a full sentence. The section of a sentence following a colon does not need to be a complete sentence / independent clause. It can be as short as one word. Finally: the humble colon A colon is like an arrow: pointing in a certain direction and aimed by a full sentence. The first half of a sentence with a colon MUST be an independent clause, meaning it could stand on its own as a full sentence. The second half of a sentence with a colon can be anything – a dependent clause, an independent clause, a list, or even a single word. Every colon is saying “I have a thing to say and here it is” I have a thing to say: here it is. The relationship between the two parts of a sentence divided by a colon should be extremely clear. The second part relies totally on the first part. If your parts are merely related and not interdependent, you probably want a semicolon and two complete clauses. Colons can introduce a list Example: I need you to pick up three things from the store: eggs, milk, and bread. Example: My favourite things about Christmas have nothing to do with winter: the lights, the food, and the music. Incorrect: The recipe’s first steps: add butter, add sugar, and cream the mixture. More examples of colons There is only one thing I want: I want to be taken seriously. The ending of every sports game is obvious: one team beats the other. We only need one last thing for the recipe: eggs. I told him exactly what I think of it: disgusting, revolting, horrible, ridiculous. And we see this in a clear example: the thing that’s happening in my backyard right now. Practice question: how could we connect these clauses? I was reading a book _____ then I put it down and had a nap. I was reading a book, and then I put it down and had a nap. I was reading a book; then I put it down and had a nap. Because these are both independent clauses, we can use a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or we can use a semicolon. They accomplish the same task. Practice question: how could we connect these clauses? I gave my little cousin a kaleidoscope ___ a toy with spinning lights and colours. I gave my little cousin a kaleidoscope: a toy with spinning lights and colours. Because the first half of this sentence is an independent clause and the second half is an incomplete clause (no verb), and because the second half is deeply connected to the first half, we can only connect these with a colon. Practice question: how could we connect these clauses? The cat sat on the log ___ the bird sat on the tree ___ the chameleon, who changed colour rapidly, sat in a number of places. The cat sat on the log; the bird sat on the tree; the chameleon, who changed colour rapidly, sat in a number of places. Because the last item in this list uses a comma, we should use a semicolon to separate the items in the list for clarity. Practice question: how could we connect these clauses? Alison told me that she didn’t like the way I made eggs ____ I told her she was free to eat breakfast somewhere else. Alison told me that she didn’t like the way I made eggs, and I told her she was free to eat breakfast somewhere else. Alison told me that she didn’t like the way I made eggs; I told her she was free to eat breakfast somewhere else. Because these are both complete, independent clauses, we can connect them with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or we can use a semicolon, since these serve the same purpose. Practice question: which of these sentences has a comma splice? 1. Marie went to Spain, and then she went to Italy, and then she went to France. 2. Housten, we have a problem. 3. January was much warmer than expected, it made me worry about climate change. 4. I lost my softest scarf at a bar, but that’s what you get for doing Jägerbombs on a Tuesday. 5. I made pancakes for breakfast, I hope you like them.