They can also be used as a super comma; because sometime you make a longer sentence, or a sentence with complex clauses.
deleted by creator
I’m sorry, but the example in your comment is nonstandard usage. The part after the semicolon would typically be an independent clause, whereas the “because” marks yours as a dependent clause.
There are still comma-like uses though. The major one I can think of is as a separator in a list where each element is long, possibly containing commas of its own.
It’s more of a weak period than a strong comma; both sides of it need to be complete sentences.
You didn’t quite get it right; adding “because” removes the need for a semicolon. Take out that single word, and your sentence becomes proper.
You people don’t use semicolons; I am very surprised. For real though, I like to use the in German class, as it makes me seem fancy and knowledgeable.
Perchance a semicolon?
You can’t just say perchance.
Why, perchance?
Because eit sounds fancy.
That sounds like a good reason to use it.
Never seen any semicolon in any German sentences. And I live since 9 years in Germany.
Neither did I. I am a native german btw (23y.o.)
is it then grammatically incorrect to use a full stop instead of a semicolon
What about three, four, or more independent clauses? Is that allowed?
I think so! Go nuts though, rules are for suckers
Hell, I don’t even use semi colon, I go full colon!
I think that second comma should be a semicolon. Also, is that an anal sex joke or am I reading too much into it?
:D
;D
(in standardized English) No, you can’t make them into a star with the semicolon in the center. Sentences are linear, so you can only connect two clauses at a time with one semicolon between them. However, you can chain clauses together, each time using a semicolon to join two independent clauses.
Except language changes over time, so if the star usage of the semicolon catches on and introduces nonlinear sentences, then have at it.
So you’re saying I can use the semicolon in a different context other than ending an instruction in my Java code ?
You can ;)
You can also use them to split lists where the items have commas in them. Like if you’re saying you’re holding a party and you invited A, whom you dislike but would feel bad to exclude; B, who you’ve not seen in years and really want to catch up with; and C, who is also going to be there.
Yes, you can end a statement in C or C++ as well.
or begin a comment in Inno
What about Applesoft BASIC? Because I was pretty good at that on my Apple II, but I don’t think there were semicolons.
Also, I don’t know how to code, so I don’t know what semicolons are for in code.
BASIC statements end on new lines. The language does use a semicolon at the end of PRINT statements in order to omit printing a newline character at the end, but I believe that’s the only use. (It’s been about 20 years since I’ve done anything in BASIC.)
The meaning of a semicolon depends completely on the language. C and C-like languages (like Java and Rust) tend to use them to delimit the end of a statement.
And, dare I say it, Javascript.
What the fuck? There are children here. Don’t say shit like that.
I use them when a comma or period seem awkward to use in what I’m writing.
I have been reading a lot of News Articles from the 1920s (project I’m working on) and it’s really noticeable that they use “;” a lot more.
Next patch should remove this redundant crap
--------------------- | ; | \n | ---------------------Python programmer: They’re the same picture
You forgot the backslash!!1 >:(
(/j, I know it got formatted away)
It did? On desktop browser it looks like it has it
Oh, sound like a me-problem then.
They’re also useful for separating multiple lists when using a comma would make it look like an item is an extended list.
So let’s say I want to express:
"My contacts are:
-
Jessica, Cook (as in a job title, not a name)
-
James, MD (as in the professional certification, not the name ‘MD’)
-
Doug, ABC (maybe to show that Doug works at ABC)"
If I said:
“My contacts are Jessica, Cook, James, MD, Doug, ABC.”
There’s no clear indication of what is a list member and what is a new list. But this:
“My contacts are Jessica, Cook; James, MD; Doug, ABC.”
is a bit clearer. (There are probably better examples but I’m shooting from the hip here lol)
-
what it’s* for
There’s an entire song dedicated to the usage (or incorrect usage) of it. https://youtu.be/M94ii6MVilw
Here is an alternative Piped link(s):
https://piped.video/M94ii6MVilw
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
I’m open-source; check me out at GitHub.
I missed the bus; and that is something I will never ever ever do again
Semicolons generally replace a comma + conjunction. So use it instead of the “and” (or “because,” “but,” etc.) and you’re good.
Omit the “and”, and you’ve got it; otherwise, a regular old comma would be the right punctuation there.
If you want to use a colon, you can phrase it “There’s one thing I’ll never do again: Miss the bus.”
They are also a great tool to use in place of tabs or spaces to make java developers lose their minds.
works with other c style languages too, can even get rid of the pesky new line debate
DELIMITER //
SELECT name, definition
FROM definitions
WHERE name like ‘;’//
DELIMITER ;
