Comma or semicolon question

[DemocratSinceBirth]

After writing for many years I am becoming very concerned with the use of commas and semicolons and when the use of each is appropriate.

Here's an example of something I just wrote.

"You should address a person how that person wants to be addressed, right down to the pronunciation."

Correct or should I used a semicolon?

[CTyankee]

1. I wasn't an English major but as an oldschooler I would say to stick with

just the comma. The comma helps the reader understand the sentence.

Here is a cute cartoon explanation of semicolon usage: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. TY/nt

[bemildred]

2. If I was fussy enough to worry about comma/semicolon, I'd recast that sentence anyway. nt

[Scootaloo]

3. Comma is correct there

[BainsBane]

4. a semi-colon cannot set off a dependent clause

only an independent clause (meaning it could stand alone as a sentence). In the sentence above you could use a comma or leave it out, depending on whether you want to signal a pause.

[pinboy3niner]

9. And colons are to be used for smilies, mostly :)

[BainsBane]

10. Claro que si! :)

[TexasTowelie]

6. I think that a comma is the appropriate punctuation mark in your example.

A semi-colon would be appropriate if there were some type of list that would normally require commas either before or after the break in the two clauses of the sentence.

[PDittie]

7. Fine with the comma.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/04/

http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Semicolons.html

http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/commas/how-to-punctuate-between-sentences-using-commas-semicolons-and-colons/

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/semicolons?page=all

[darkangel218]

8. Correct. No semicolon.

[MineralMan]

11. As a professional writer, I abandoned the use of semicolons

years ago. Anywhere they can be correctly used, a period can be used instead. In most places where people use them, they use them incorrectly.

I don't use them at all. Problem solved.

[Recursion]

19. I like them for connecting parallel thoughts

Semicolons connect independent sentences; commas separate clauses. Other situations imply consequence: colons are useful in those cases.

[randome]

20. Wasn't it Vonnegut who said the semicolon was the most useless of punctuation symbols?

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[HardTimes99]

28. It's Vice President (not worth a warm bucket of spit) to President Colon :) - nt

[MyshkinCommaPrince]

48. Yes.

“Here is a lesson in creative writing. First rule: Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've been to college.”

I first heard him say this on Wad'ya Know? with Michael Feldman. Had one of those laughing-milk-through-your-nose experiences.

[Boom Sound 416]

44. Or

I don't use them at all; problem solved.

[elleng]

12. 'You should address a person in the way that person wants to be addressed,

right down to the pronunciation.'

Comma correct.

[marions ghost]

39. yep

the "how" is technically incorrect, tho if enough people do it, it might stick around...

[tridim]

13. Semicolons are good for ending lines in PHP and Javascript.

But nearly worthless for writing in English IMO. Just use a comma.

[FarCenter]

32. An example of how to use colons and semicolons

#include <string>
#include <iostream>

void oof(const std::string& s,std::string::iterator i)
{
try
{
if( ++i == s.end() )
throw i;

oof( s, i );
}catch( std::string::iterator& e )
{
std::cout << (--e)[0];

if( e != s.begin() )
throw e;
}
}

void gob( std::string& s )
{
for( int i = 0;i < s.length()/2;i++)
std::swap( s[i], s[ s.length() - i -1 ] );
}

int main()
{
std::string s = "Hello World!!";

gob( s );
oof( s, s.begin() );

return 0;
}

[winter is coming]

14. Oh God, I'm terminally geeky.

I barely stopped myself from posting a pun about punctuation.

[snappyturtle]

15. Here is an excellent resource for punctuation and formating:

Comma and Semi Colon:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/566/01/

[whttevrr]

16. The semicolon is for...

the wink smile

But, fyi, there are some web publishing purchasers of writing that will lower the amount paid to writers for overuse of the semicolon; less is more.

[Recursion]

17. Use a semicolon if both sides could stand on their own as sentences

Use a comma otherwise.

[frazzled]

18. Comma correct, but one other issue

with your sentence. It would be more grammatically correct to say

You should address a person in the way that person wants to be addressed ....

[Happyhippychick]

21. Semicolons make it hard for people to poop.

[pinboy3niner]

23. Semilol

[Happyhippychick]

25. :)

[Jenoch]

22. The ounctuation is correct.

I would change 'wants' to 'wishes'.

[Generic Other]

24. Most consistent easy to remember rule

A semicolon most often has a complete sentence on both sides. This is the simple rule; using it you can connect sentences this way. A more sophisticated use of semicolon involves use of an adverbial clause. This is a simple rule; nevertheless, it causes many writers endless confusion. Sometimes the semicolon is used with a series of items to avoid confusion. I packed a picnic lunch with some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; ham and cream cheese wraps; and carrot sticks.

[BainsBane]

27. I don't know this adverbial clause rule

What exactly is it?

[Generic Other]

29. A few rules to remember when trying to form complex sentences with semicolons

A conjunctive adverb connects words, phrases, or clauses together to provide smooth transitions from one idea to another.

When the job of an adverb is to connect ideas, we call it a conjunctive adverb. Here is the list:

accordingly
also
besides
consequently
conversely
finally
furthermore
hence
however
indeed
instead
likewise
meanwhile
moreover
nevertheless
next
nonetheless
otherwise
similarly
still
subsequently
then
therefore
thus

A conjunctive adverb can join two main clauses. In this situation, the conjunctive adverb behaves like a coordinating conjunction, connecting two complete ideas. Notice, however, that you need a semicolon, not a comma, to connect the two clauses:

main clause + ; + conjunctive adverb + , + main clause.

The conjunctive adverb is like a roadsign signaling a change in the direction of the sentence; for example if I wish to add an example, I can signal this fact with the semicolon; moreover, I can add information; however, I can also contradict something I have just stated. Semicolons are a useful tool in a writer's punctuation arsenal; nevertheless, I try and use them sparingly; otherwise, I would write sentences that never ended like this one.

Hope I haven't just confused the issue more.

[BainsBane]

31. I would use a colon for an example

For example, "I love ice cream: chocolate, coffee, and strawberry."

I have to look this up in the Chicago Manual of Style.

[Generic Other]

33. You might use both in this sentence -- a two-fer!!

I eat too many sweets; for example, I love ice cream: chocolate, coffee, and strawberry are clearly not my friends.

Colons usually require a complete sentence on one side and a list on the other. Two tricky pieces of punctuation that can help us create "mo betta" complex sentences.

[SwissTony]

35. Why not just use an Oxford comma?

" I packed a picnic lunch with some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, ham and cream cheese wraps, and carrot sticks"

[Generic Other]

37. Only to avoid confusion

" I packed a picnic lunch with some pickles, sardines, peanut butter and jelly, ham, cheese, bacon lettuce and tomato sandwiches, and carrot sticks."

That is starting to look like a confusing lunch. I will acknowledge the times I really need to apply this semicolon rule are few and far between.

on edit: one more example better than mine.

Suncom Corporation has subsidiaries in four cities: New York, New York; Wilmington, Ohio; Houston, Texas; and San Francisco, California.

[SwissTony]

38. You mean BLTs!!! Problem solved!!

I can see what you're getting at. And I guess "bacon + lettuce + tomato sandwiches" isn't going to cut the mustard. (Hey, don't forget the mustard!!)

But I've never seen a semi-colon used in the way you describe. I'm not saying it's wrong, just that I've never seen it. I'd probably split the sentence into two...

" I packed a picnic lunch with some pickles, sardines, peanut butter and jelly, ham, and carrot sticks; I've also included some bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches".

Of course, none of this is a problem when done orally. We can imply commas and semi-colons by pauses and change of (direction of) pitch.

[Generic Other]

43. Actually I had three sandwiches

and pickles and carrot sticks and sardines for garnish. Something tells me I am going to be eating by myself. What a gross lunch!

[Jackpine Radical]

26. Comma. No doubt.

[HardTimes99]

30. the poet e. e. cummings can elevate this thread to immortality:

since feeling is first

since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;

wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world

my blood approves,
and kisses are a far better fate
than wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
--the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids' flutter which says

we are for each other: then
laugh, leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph

And death i think is no parenthesis

[Generic Other]

34. nice example of cummings' poetry

I am saving that one!

Thanks.

"Death is no parenthesis." Meaning it is not an "explanation or an afterthought." That is a thought to chew on for awhile. To savor.

[Delphinus]

36. Definitely not

a semicolon.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

40. neither

Should use an ellipsis in that sentence.

"You should address a person how that person wants to be addressed ... right down to the pronunciation."

[Boom Sound 416]

42. I'm not sure about that

Those are used correctly mostly when abbreviating a quote.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

45. It can also be used to indicate a pause.

[Boom Sound 416]

47. Newspapers have been doing that for a while.

I think it's lazy writing though. Just my opinion.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipsis

[Boom Sound 416]

41. Neither

Commas are used as cadence but not here

Semi-colons have to do with subordinate clauses. (If memory serves)

[ananda]

46. The comma is correct but..

The sentence would sound better like this:

"You should address a person the way that that person wants to be addressed, right down to the pronunciation."

The second "that" is optional.

[Blue_In_AK]

49. A comma is

Correct.