Genealogy Forum UK

I've been reprimanded in my use of semicolons,colons and dashes. I thought it might be a good idea to discuss a few guidleines.

Use a semicolon to separate two main clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction:

Those who write clearly have readers; those who write obscurely have commentators.
We can also use a semicolon to separate main clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb (such as however, consequently, otherwise, moreover, nevertheless):
A great many people may think that they are thinking; however, most are merely rearranging their prejudices.
Basically, a semicolon (whether followed by a conjunctive adverb or not) serves to coordinate two main clauses.

Colons (:)
Use a colon to set off a summary or a series after a complete main clause:

It is time for the baby's birthday party: a white cake, strawberry-marshmellow ice cream, and a bottle of champagne saved from another party.
Notice that a main clause does not have to follow the colon; however, a complete main clause generally should precede it.

Dashes (--)
Use a dash to set off a short summary after a complete main clause:

At the bottom of Pandora's box lay the final gift--hope.

We may also use a pair of dashes in place of a pair of commas to set off words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence with additional--but not essential--information:
In the great empires of antiquity--Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Persia--splendid though they were, freedom was unknown.
Unlike parentheses (which tend to de-emphasize the information contained between them), dashes are more emphatic than commas. And dashes are particularly useful for setting off items in a series that are already separated by commas.

These three punctuation marks--semicolons, colons, and dashes--are most effective when used sparingly. Some writers, such as novelist Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., would prefer to do away with the semicolon altogether:

Maybe we should all practice creating Sentences with Semicolons, Colons, and Dashes

Use each sentence below as the model for a new sentence. Your new sentence should follow the accompanying guidelines and use the same punctuation contained in the model.

1:
Levin wanted friendship and got friendliness; he wanted steak and they offered Spam.

Guideline: Use a semicolon to separate two main clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction.

2:
Your essay is both good and original; however, the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good.
Guideline: Use a semicolon to separate main clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb.

3:
There are three choices in this life: be good, get good, or give up.
Guideline: Use a colon to set off a summary or a series after a complete main clause.

4:
The fortune teller reminded us that there is only one thing we can count on for sure--total uncertainty.
Guideline: Use a dash to set off a short summary after a complete main clause.

5:
Our labors in life--learning, earning, and yearning--are also our reasons for living.
Guideline: For the sake of clarity or emphasis use a pair of dashes to set off words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence.

Now we can discuss the crux of the matter!! Is it "Connects to :- name "?
"Connects to ; name"?
"Connects to - name"?
Or "Connects to name "?

Who flippin' cares Rob, I certainly don't !!!!!

Who would dare to reprimand you in the first place?

Oops!
Was it a big ticking off Rob?

i think i need to sort the spelling out first rob

peterd wrote:i think i need to sort the spelling out first rob

Don't worry Pete, we know what you mean

Speak for yourself.I dont !!!

Rob wrote::roll: Speak for yourself.I dont !!!

I would like to point out that there should be a space between a full stop and the next word.

Rob wrote:I've been reprimanded in my use of semicolons,colons and dashes. I thought it might be a good idea to discuss a few guidleines.

Use a semicolon to separate two main clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction:

Those who write clearly have readers; those who write obscurely have commentators.
We can also use a semicolon to separate main clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb (such as however, consequently, otherwise, moreover, nevertheless):
A great many people may think that they are thinking; however, most are merely rearranging their prejudices.
Basically, a semicolon (whether followed by a conjunctive adverb or not) serves to coordinate two main clauses.

Colons (:)
Use a colon to set off a summary or a series after a complete main clause:

It is time for the baby's birthday party: a white cake, strawberry-marshmellow ice cream, and a bottle of champagne saved from another party.
Notice that a main clause does not have to follow the colon; however, a complete main clause generally should precede it.

Dashes (--)
Use a dash to set off a short summary after a complete main clause:

At the bottom of Pandora's box lay the final gift--hope.

We may also use a pair of dashes in place of a pair of commas to set off words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence with additional--but not essential--information:
In the great empires of antiquity--Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Persia--splendid though they were, freedom was unknown.
Unlike parentheses (which tend to de-emphasize the information contained between them), dashes are more emphatic than commas. And dashes are particularly useful for setting off items in a series that are already separated by commas.

These three punctuation marks--semicolons, colons, and dashes--are most effective when used sparingly. Some writers, such as novelist Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., would prefer to do away with the semicolon altogether:

Maybe we should all practice creating Sentences with Semicolons, Colons, and Dashes

Use each sentence below as the model for a new sentence. Your new sentence should follow the accompanying guidelines and use the same punctuation contained in the model.

1:
Levin wanted friendship and got friendliness; he wanted steak and they offered Spam.

Guideline: Use a semicolon to separate two main clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction.

2:
Your essay is both good and original; however, the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good.
Guideline: Use a semicolon to separate main clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb.

3:
There are three choices in this life: be good, get good, or give up.
Guideline: Use a colon to set off a summary or a series after a complete main clause.

4:
The fortune teller reminded us that there is only one thing we can count on for sure--total uncertainty.
Guideline: Use a dash to set off a short summary after a complete main clause.

5:
Our labors in life--learning, earning, and yearning--are also our reasons for living.
Guideline: For the sake of clarity or emphasis use a pair of dashes to set off words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence.

Now we can discuss the crux of the matter!! Is it "Connects to :- name "?
"Connects to ; name"?
"Connects to - name"?
Or "Connects to name "?

It is this Robert

Connects to:-
Rob
Jan
Jo
Uncle Tom Cobley

Got it!!
Its not about the caesura it is about the list!!!

stop quibbling semantics and go and clear your look ups

oh!! and post those in the correct section

A caesura is a pause, or an interruption. In musical notation, a caesura is a break in the music, which can be a good time for a trumpet player to catch his breath. A caesura is also a break in the middle of a line of poetry. It is sometimes marked by a question mark, exclamation point, or period.
“I think it is a part of my heart. But it flickers."

Rob wrote:A caesura is a pause, or an interruption. In musical notation, a caesura is a break in the music, which can be a good time for a trumpet player to catch his breath. A caesura is also a break in the middle of a line of poetry. It is sometimes marked by a question mark, exclamation point, or period.
“I think it is a part of my heart. But it flickers."

Yet, that flicker fills my head with longings and purpose,
thus do I know, that I still breathe.
Whilst you are with me, I do not know how to die.

Yes it is a very good technical device to add umph!

I also like the use of enjambement to force the arguement on one that
has no signs of stopping until the last breath is taken.

End stopped lines are so final.

dontcha think?

"The four engineers Wore orange brassieres."
Enjambment is incomplete syntax at the end of a line the meaning runs-over from one poetic line to the next.
I like to enjamber with verse.

Rob wrote:"The four engineers Wore orange brassieres."
Enjambment is incomplete syntax at the end of a line the meaning runs-over from one poetic line to the next.
I like to enjamber with verse.

Are you well versed in most things Rob?

It's just that example you plucked from Google or Noddy land is not really enjambment
is it!

You see for it to be enjambment the line has to push on with no breaks or caesura in the syntax.

Metre is very important too

dontcha think Rob?

Google Noddy Land moi? That's not nice.
Actually i know a little about metre or meter in poetry.The pattern of stressed and unstressed sylables.
"Shall i compare thee to a summers day"
The basic rhythm that dominates a poem,like music or dancing,that's meter.The rhythm that sets the mood and understanding of the verse.
What do others on this Forum think of this discussion?
Oh and my example about orange brassieres was a form of enjambment although you tend to disagree as usual.

Rob wrote::o Google Noddy Land moi? That's not nice.
Actually i know a little about metre or meter in poetry.The pattern of stressed and unstressed sylables.
"Shall i compare thee to a summers day"
The basic rhythm that dominates a poem,like music or dancing,that's meter.The rhythm that sets the mood and understanding of the verse.
What do others on this Forum think of this discussion?
Oh and my example about orange brassieres was a form of enjambment although you tend to disagree as usual.

And am I not allowed to Disagree Robert

How can the Orange Brassieres line be a line using enjambment!
it had a break at the end!! ....it is an end stopped line. Full Stop. the stop is full!

for it to be enjambment it has to run on to the next line ................no breaks at end.

u /
Unstressed and stressed

I am getting a little stressed now.