the colons and the semi-colons.
I rocked most of the test I had to take for school tonight.
It was the TABE test.
Test for Adult Basic Education.
Of all the subjects tested, I tested lowest in math. I expected that. Use it or lose it, ya know? I am confident that that would be greatly improved by simply DOING the math again. I really have no use at all for algebra in my every day life. So I get rusty. We all do. Right?!?!
The only other area that tripped me up was the Language Mechanics portion of the test and I KNOW it was all the questions having to do with the proper use of colons and semi-colons.
But even in those low areas, I was given the green light to take the GED test and just be done with it.
But I'm not going to do that.
I'm going to earn every last credit required for high school graduation.
And then, who knows? I might just rent a cap and gown!
And I might just throw myself a kick ass graduation party.
Wanna come?
Any of my smarty pants English pro friends who offer up an easy way to remember which (colon or semicolon) goes where, get a special invitation. :)
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8 comments:
Semicolons are easy; they're just a way of separating two independent clauses (sets of words that could stand alone as a sentence). You can connect independent clauses with a period, a comma and a conjunction, or a semicolon. Use a semicolon when you want a soft, seamless connection between two independent clauses that are closely related.
Option: "The dog ate my homework. He did not live long." Technically correct, but quite a strong break. Seems a little abrupt.
Option: "The dog ate my homework, and he did not live long." Technically correct, but not very elegant.
Example: "The dog ate my homework; he did not live long."
An elegant way of joining two closely related independent clauses.
Colons are a little more tricky. They're used to introduce lists, examples, or explanations following an independent clause. Please note: What comes BEFORE the colon has to be able to stand on its own as as a sentence.
Correct: At the store, we bought all the things for nachos: chips, beans, salsa, cheese, and avocados.
The words, "At the store, we bought all the things for nachos" are a complete sentence.
Incorrect (students make this mistake all the time): "At the store, we bought: chips, beans, salsa, cheese, avocados."
The words, "At the store we bought" are not a complete sentence, thus that's an incorrect use.
Example of an example, not a list: "After years of moderating an online forum, I've learned one thing: think before you type."
The words, "After years of moderating an online forum, I've learned one thing," are a complete sentence. They leave the reader wondering, but grammatically, they are a complete sentence.
Does that make sense?
Good for you!!!
I can't help you with English. That was always my "worst" subject. I used to be good at math, but haven't taken any since high school.
Way to go!!!
Heidi gets a special invite!
Heidi is a good friend; she has the heart of a teacher.
:)
I really regret not paying more attention to grammar in high school. I've always had a hard time with it and spelling. I've finally picked up on spelling thanks to spell check but I need grammar help! I loved Heidi's examples. I think you should ask her future questions so I can brush up on my skills as well.
I want to come to your party too!!!!
Can I have a special invitation for just leaving a comment? lol
Aahhh grammer. When I saw the title colon vs semicolon I was thinking colon as in a portion of your large intestine and I was thinking you were having some sort of intestinal issue, lol. Guess that's what a medical background gets ya!! Can't help ya with the grammer but if you've got some feet problems I'm your girl!!!
Aww, you use algebra all the time. You just don't recognize it because its not in the formal language used in school.
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