Can commas and semicolons be interchangeable?
Remember, semicolons are not interchangeable with commas or periods. Instead, they’re somewhere in between: stronger than a comma but not quite as divisive as a period.
What punctuation mark can replace a semicolon?
A semicolon can always, in principle, be replaced either by a full stop (yielding two separate sentences) or by the word and (possibly preceded by a joining comma).
Can commas and dashes interchangeable?
Em Dashes as Parentheses or Commas (Most Common) When a pair of em dashes is used to set off a parenthetical phrase or clause, they are interchangeable with commas and parentheses.
What’s the difference between commas and semicolons?
Definition. Comma is a punctuation mark indicating a pause between parts of a sentence or separating items in a list. Semicolon is a punctuation mark indicating a pause that is more pronounced than that indicated by a comma.
Which is not a semicolon rule?
You should not place semicolons indiscriminately between independent clauses, as in the following example: Example 1: Jane drove to Phoenix to visit her parents; her parents’ dog had to go to the vet. Clearly, these sentences have nothing to do with each other.
What 3 things can a semicolon replace?
Use a semicolon to replace a period between related sentences when the second sentence starts with either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression, such as for example, for instance, that is, besides, accordingly, furthermore, otherwise, however, thus, therefore.
What can u replace with a semicolon?
A semicolon is often used to replace a coordinating conjunction like ‘and’ or ‘but’.
Are commas interchangeable?
By going off the definition of interchangeable, putting emphasis on truly, no, they are not truly interchangeable. There are certain contexts when they can be, though, such as the shared example. Show activity on this post. There are circumstances where either commas or em-dashes would be OK.
Where would you use a semicolon?
Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses in place of a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet). Make sure when you use the semicolon that the connection between the two independent clauses is clear without the coordinating conjunction.
When should a semicolon be used?
A semicolon is most commonly used to link (in a single sentence) two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. When a semicolon is used to join two or more ideas (parts) in a sentence, those ideas are then given equal position or rank.
What is the difference between comma and semicolon?
When should I use a semicolon instead of a comma?
Rule to Remember Use a semicolon to replace a comma when you use a coordinating conjunction to link independent clauses that already contain commas. In this example, using a semicolon makes it easier to read the two independent clauses on either side of the coordinating conjunction: Correct: My dog is sick.
Is my semicolon correct?
If you want to check whether or not you’re using a semicolon correctly, just read the two clauses on their own and see if they make sense. If they don’t, it’s a miss. In the first example, a semicolon is used to introduce a list; it should be a colon.
When should you use a semicolon or a comma?
We use the semicolon when there is NO connecting word. We use the semicolon with SOME connecting words (and those are followed by a comma). Yet, the “rules: say that when we connect two independent clauses with certain OTHER words, we are to use a COMMA to join the two independent clauses.
Are semicolons interchangeable with commas?
Remember, semicolons are not interchangeable with commas or periods. Instead, they’re somewhere in between: stronger than a comma but not quite as divisive as a period. Sounds pretty cunning to us. Here are the rules for using semicolons correctly; we hope you’re taking notes. 1. Semicolons Connect Related Independent Clauses
What is the difference between a colon and a semicolon?
The semicolon is the colon’s quirkier sibling. While the colon is simply two dots stacked : the semicolon is a dot hovering over a comma ; The semicolon does jobs that are also done by other punctuation marks, but puts its own spin on the task. Like a comma, it can separate elements in a series.
How do you use a semicolon?
Semicolons Separate Phrases or Items in a List or Series. A semicolon is used in place of a comma to separate phrases or items in a list or series when the phrases or items themselves contain commas or are especially long: Harry set out to find a dessert that would demonstrate his deep appreciation of Mabel’s meal.
What does a semicolon separate related independent clauses?
A semicolon separates related independent clauses that are joined without a coordinating conjunction, such as and: Mabel the Cat had made a big pot of goulash; it was simmering on the stove.