What is the purpose
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1) to connect 2 independent clauses
2) to create a moderate pause 3) to seperate items in a list |
Example 1 - Joining 2 Independent Clauses
ORIGINAL SENTENCES - Never pick a fight with an ugly person. They've got nothing to lose. Robin Williams
REVISED SENTENCE - Never pick a fight with an ugly person; they've got nothing to lose. Robin Williams
REVISED SENTENCE - Never pick a fight with an ugly person; they've got nothing to lose. Robin Williams
Example 2 - Creating a Moderate Pause
ORIGINAL SENTENCES - Everyone knows he is guilty. Of course, it will never be proved.
REVISED SENTENCE - Everyone knows he is guilty; of course, it will never be proved.
REVISED SENTENCE - Everyone knows he is guilty; of course, it will never be proved.
Example 3 - Separating Items in a List
ORIGINAL SENTENCE- I went to Gisborne, Tauranga, Napier and Wellington.
REVISED SENTENCE - I went to Gisborne, East Cape; Whakatane, eastern Bay of Plenty; Napier, Hawke's Bay; and Whangarei in the Northland region. (It allows you to include more information separated by commas)
REVISED SENTENCE - I went to Gisborne, East Cape; Whakatane, eastern Bay of Plenty; Napier, Hawke's Bay; and Whangarei in the Northland region. (It allows you to include more information separated by commas)
Further Information
Information on this webpage was sourced from; Theoatmeal.com, Grammar Rules by Craig Shrives and http://www.grammarbook.com.