Comments on: Using Commas, Semicolons, and Colons within Sentences

By: Jane

Jane — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:57:36 +0000

It is acceptable to use a colon and a semi-colon in the same sentence. Grammatically, your sentence is fine. Simply add a comma after However and, unless you are British, spell analyse as analyze.

By: Claire

Claire — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:04:14 +0000

Hi, is this sentence ok? I really struggle with grammar. I think this sentence is all over the place. Also im not sure if it is correct to use a colon and a semi-colon in the same sentence. please help.

Thank you.

However there are four ethical principles: autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice; these principles enable nurses to analyse care by circumstance, and aid the rationale of their actions.

By: Jane

Jane — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:06:14 +0000

Yes, your sentence is correct.

By: emily1

emily1 — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 15:24:14 +0000

Please Jane, help me
I’m not sure if this sentence is correct
”In a television advertisement for the popular Slovak beer Zlaty Bazant, a grinning man with a paunch stands on a sunny beach, nodding his head as the narrator says, “To want to borrow from everyone, that is Greek.”

Are the commas on their place?
Thank you

By: Jane

Jane — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 01:58:15 +0000

According to Rule 5a, "Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year and after the year." The word motor is an adjective that describes the word vehicle and together they are both adjectives that modify the word accident.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:57:38 +0000

Is it correct or incorrect to punctuate with a comma after the date in the following sentence: I asked her what dental trauma she believes occurred in the June 14, 2010, motor vehicle accident. In this sentence would the date be descriptive of the motor vehicle accident? Would motor and vehicle be adjectives to accident?

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 20:19:11 +0000

Both A and C are grammatically correct. I say grammatically correct because if you were really sleeping you wouldn’t be able to be writing at the same time! According to Rule 1 for semicolons, use a semicolon to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out. Rule 4 for colons says that if the second sentence explains or illustrates the first sentence, then a colon is used. Quite often it is the writer’s opinion that will determine which of the two is used.

By: Just a question

Just a question — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 04:42:15 +0000

Hi,
A- I’m sleeping in bed right now. I’m not working.
B- I’m sleeping in bed right now, I’m not working.
C- I’m sleeping in bed right now; I’m not working. (Here, I think that the second sentence does not illustrate the first one, it just confirm it.) Is it correct?
Which is correct here? And is the meaning of the sentence is right: to say I’m sleeping!

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 01:49:14 +0000

I would try to reword the sentence to eliminate the question mark.

Bob, I would like your opinion of the beginning of Churchill’s speech:

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:26:41 +0000

The rule you are referring to is Rule 12 in the Commas section: "Use a comma to separate two strong clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction--and, or, but, for, nor. You can omit the comma if the clauses are both short." Likewise, the Chicago Manual of Style says, "When independent clauses are joined by and, but, or, so, yet, or any other conjunction, a comma usually precedes the conjunction. If the clauses are very short and closely connected, the comma may be omitted unless the clauses are part of a series." (6.28)