- #1
samy4408
- 62
- 9
can someone tell me what is the meaning of the horizontal line in the sentence ?
thanks .
What is the Purpose of a Semicolon in a Sentence?
- Thread starter samy4408
- Start date
-
- Tags
- Horizontal Line
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the purpose and usage of semicolons and em-dashes in sentences, including their roles in connecting ideas and clarifying sentence structure. Participants explore grammatical conventions and personal preferences in writing style.
Discussion Character
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants suggest that semicolons connect related independent clauses, while others mention that they were taught to use them for clarity in complex sentences.
- One participant notes that the horizontal line in a sentence is an em-dash, which serves to connect ideas but may lead to awkward phrasing.
- Another participant expresses a preference for avoiding double dashes and semicolons to reduce confusion, particularly in international forums.
- There is a question raised about whether a subordinate clause following a semicolon needs to be a stand-alone sentence, indicating uncertainty about grammatical rules.
- Links to external resources are provided to support claims about semicolon usage, with one participant acknowledging a correction based on the information from an article.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the use of semicolons and em-dashes, with no consensus reached on the best practices for their usage. Some agree on the basic functions, while others challenge or refine these ideas.
Contextual Notes
Participants reference various grammatical rules and personal experiences, indicating that their understanding may depend on specific contexts or interpretations of grammar. There is mention of confusion regarding the requirements for clauses following semicolons.
can someone tell me what is the meaning of the horizontal line in the sentence ?
thanks .
- #2
Drakkith
Mentor
- 23,200
- 7,681
It's just connecting the two ideas together. It's not a very well written sentence and is very awkward to read. If anything it reads like someone was transcribing what someone else was saying and the speaker messed up and had to correct themselves. "Light is something which enters the eye." Oh, I messed that up. Let me correct it real quick. "Which bounces off objects into the eye."
- #3
DrClaude
Mentor
- 8,477
- 5,696
The symbol is called an "em-dash." See the following link for an explanation of its usage:
https://www.thesaurus.com/e/grammar/em-dash/
https://www.thesaurus.com/e/grammar/em-dash/
- #4
Klystron
Gold Member
- 1,251
- 1,952
I used to use double dashes to separate clauses and descriptors in sentences but largely stopped using them to avoid confusion, particularly on international forums like PF. I also use fewer semicolons for the same reason.
I was taught to separate subordinate clauses from sentence body with a semicolon, or double dash, when the clause already contained items separated by commas, for clarity; to reduce, not increase, confusion.
I was taught to separate subordinate clauses from sentence body with a semicolon, or double dash, when the clause already contained items separated by commas, for clarity; to reduce, not increase, confusion.
- #5
berkeman
Admin
- 69,394
- 24,758
Klystron said:I used to use double dashes to separate clauses and descriptors in sentences but largely stopped using them to avoid confusion, particularly on international forums like PF; I also use fewer semicolons for the same reason.
I was taught to separate subordinate clauses from sentence body with a semicolon, or double dash, when the clause already contained items separated by commas, for clarity to reduce, not increase, confusion.
There, I fixed it for you.
(doesn't the "subordinate clause" after the semicolon need to be a stand-alone sentence in its own right? I guess I need to review that rule. Back in a bit...)
- #6
berkeman
Admin
- 69,394
- 24,758
- #7
Klystron
Gold Member
- 1,251
- 1,952
Correction noted. The masterclass article verifies my use of semicolon with lists of items separated by commas; clauses separated by semicolons must be independent. TILberkeman said:
