# Scarlett, HELP! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 19, 2001, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarlett-help/88328 "2001-10-19T00:33:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarlett-help/88328/1 "2001-10-19T00:33:55Z")
I need a rule (simple if possible) to govern the use of the semicolon! Seems I am always misusing that damn thing in my writings. Thanks Quasi ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarlett-help/88328/2 "2001-10-19T00:35:36Z")
Sorry, I’m not her, but here goes: A semicolon is a weak period; use it anywhere you need to separate to complete thoughts but do not want the degree of separation provide by a period. Like so. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarlett-help/88328/3 "2001-10-19T00:37:32Z")
:rolleyes: Or, you can use it to separate _two_ complete thoughts but do not want the degree of separation provide_d_ by a period. Your choice, really. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarlett-help/88328/4 "2001-10-19T00:40:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Quasimodem \* > \*\*I need a rule (simple if possible) to govern the use of the semicolon! Seems I am always misusing that damn thing in my writings. > \*\* I need a rule to govern the use of the semicolon; seems I am always misusing that damn thing in my writings. I also have trouble using dashes. 😉 Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Yersinia\_Pestis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ccd318/32.png) [@Yersinia\_Pestis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yersinia_Pestis)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarlett-help/88328/5 "2001-10-19T06:02:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Quasimodem \* > I need a rule to govern the use of the semicolon; seems I am always misusing that damn thing in my writings. > > Quasi \*\* You technically need a subject at the beginning of the second clause; **it** seems to be missing one. 🙂 (Yes, the “it” can be understood as implied. But a semicolon is somewhat formal, and leaving the subject off like that looks a little casual to me.) You can introduce a nice variation when the sentence after the semicolon begins w/ a word that would normally be followed by a comma. Clear as mud? Observe! The camel spider hissed its war-cry and leapt for my face. However, I drilled it through the thorax with an amped-up laser pointer. The camel spider hissed its war-cry and leapt for my face; however, I drilled it through the thorax with an amped-up laser pointer. Finally, the semicolon can be used as a kind of übercomma if you’re constructing a list wherein some of the items contain commas. I invited my mother, the Queen of England, my brother, Napoleon, and Dick Tracy. ( = I throw interesting parties.) I invited my mother, the Queen of England; my brother, Napoleon; and Dick Tracy. ( = My family tree is unusual.) ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarlett-help/88328/6 "2001-10-19T12:45:55Z")
I agree with **Yersinia Pestis** on the subject/formality thing; a semicolon is rather a formal mark of punctuation, so it’s use in casual writing usually comes across as out of place. The second use, which came to my mind about 11:00 last night, is also common, but should be avoided when possible by rewriting the sentence. What, you’ve heard me say that before? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Yersinia\_Pestis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ccd318/32.png) [@Yersinia\_Pestis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yersinia_Pestis)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarlett-help/88328/7 "2001-10-19T16:42:14Z")
Yah, that’s what I always do when I can’t decide if a sentence is correct. When in doubt, recast! ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2001, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarlett-help/88328/8 "2001-10-20T05:50:16Z")
You rang? 😉 Sorry I’m late, but I’ve been busy in meatspace. Go figure! In answer to your question – what they said! Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2001, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarlett-help/88328/9 "2001-10-20T16:19:15Z")
Okay, Scarlett, you’re gonna have to explain _ **that** _ one! 😕 Does it have something to do with your copyediting, or have you been slaughtering cattle? 😃 To those of you who answered my question in Scarlett’s absence, my thanks; moreover, my _ **profuse** _ gratitude! (that _still_ don’t look right, y’all!;)) Quasi ---
**Author:** ![ndorward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c2a13f/32.png) [@ndorward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ndorward)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2001, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarlett-help/88328/10 "2001-10-20T17:30:27Z")
I presume “meatspace” = “real life”. I’m perhaps wrong but I seem to recall the phrase from William Gibson’s _Neuromancer_ or the like. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarlett-help/88328/11 "2001-10-22T18:57:44Z")
**ndorward** is correct about the definition – it’s the complement of “cyberspace.” I forget where I picked it up, but I like the concept!