3 ms·

If you’re a good enough writer to know how to property use a semicolon, you’re a good enough writer to not need to use one.

drittich 5y ago
And, possibly, a good enough writer to know that just because you don't need to do something doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.
mdp2021 5y ago
> to not need to use one Why should one avoid using it.
- kreeben 5y ago
  Because people have a problem with punctuation?
  - mdp2021 5y ago
    > people have a problem with punctuation What do you mean? I hope it's not something like "[some] people are confused by numbers, so avoid numbers". Of course (special contexts aside), those people should fix their problem with numbers, and whenever numbers are useful or duly for the purpose of communication, they should be there. The same for punctuation or any other function.
- paulcole 5y ago
  One should decide if one is using it because it’s the best way to communicate with one’s audience or if one is proud that one knows how to use a semicolon properly.
  - mdp2021 5y ago
    If your audience benefits from expressions that avoid semicolon, the point is in the expression, not in its nuts and bolts: you use an apt structure, which should anyway in general follow sensible rules. And you should not pollute the minds of your audience, so surely you want to avoid "reinforcing the use of something wrong by adopting it": you may, with ability, simplify a structure, but still crafting something eventually well and properly done. This rules out misplacing said "nuts and bolts". Pride has nothing to do with it - to use logarithms for magnitudes is not "showing off".
    - paulcole 5y ago
      I’m not sure if you’re agreeing with me or not? I’ll double down on my original point. If, in 2021, you’re 100% sure you absolutely positively need to be using a semicolon in your writing, you need to reevaluate your position.
      - mdp2021 5y ago
        Why should 2021 be different than any other year. I cannot see a reason to avoid using the semicolon. It is part of proper expression - it's useful, available and innocent.
        paulcole 5y ago
        Because language evolves. Today essentially nobody uses a semicolon in conversational and casual writing. For the average person, using a semicolon is an affectation like wearing a fedora. Some people look good doing it but most don’t.
        denton-scratch 5y ago
        I use semi-colons in coversational writing. Also, it so happens that I wear a fedora. It's not an affectation, it's just a felt hat. My natural scalp insulation started to fall out a decade or so ago, so I started wearing beanies. But now I feel much more at home under a fedora - apart from anything else, the hat works as a sort of miniature umbrella.
        paulcole 5y ago
        I mean yes, this is exactly what I’m talking about. Use semi-colons if you want and wear a fedora if you want, but understand the image you’re putting out into the world if you do.
        mdp2021 5y ago
        Whereas, how would you evaluate the image you would project, by not using semicolons (or anything that would fall into this matter of use, appropriateness and possible reactions) when appropriate, or by refusing to do it to follow the use of some not better defined writers, or for fear of the judgement of some very generically mentioned public? Which kind of public are you courting?

drittich 5y ago

And, possibly, a good enough writer to know that just because you don't need to do something doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.

mdp2021 5y ago

> to not need to use one Why should one avoid using it.

kreeben 5y ago
Because people have a problem with punctuation?
- mdp2021 5y ago
  > people have a problem with punctuation What do you mean? I hope it's not something like "[some] people are confused by numbers, so avoid numbers". Of course (special contexts aside), those people should fix their problem with numbers, and whenever numbers are useful or duly for the purpose of communication, they should be there. The same for punctuation or any other function.
paulcole 5y ago
One should decide if one is using it because it’s the best way to communicate with one’s audience or if one is proud that one knows how to use a semicolon properly.
- mdp2021 5y ago
  If your audience benefits from expressions that avoid semicolon, the point is in the expression, not in its nuts and bolts: you use an apt structure, which should anyway in general follow sensible rules. And you should not pollute the minds of your audience, so surely you want to avoid "reinforcing the use of something wrong by adopting it": you may, with ability, simplify a structure, but still crafting something eventually well and properly done. This rules out misplacing said "nuts and bolts". Pride has nothing to do with it - to use logarithms for magnitudes is not "showing off".
  - paulcole 5y ago
    I’m not sure if you’re agreeing with me or not? I’ll double down on my original point. If, in 2021, you’re 100% sure you absolutely positively need to be using a semicolon in your writing, you need to reevaluate your position.
    - mdp2021 5y ago
      Why should 2021 be different than any other year. I cannot see a reason to avoid using the semicolon. It is part of proper expression - it's useful, available and innocent.
      - paulcole 5y ago
        Because language evolves. Today essentially nobody uses a semicolon in conversational and casual writing. For the average person, using a semicolon is an affectation like wearing a fedora. Some people look good doing it but most don’t.
        denton-scratch 5y ago
        I use semi-colons in coversational writing. Also, it so happens that I wear a fedora. It's not an affectation, it's just a felt hat. My natural scalp insulation started to fall out a decade or so ago, so I started wearing beanies. But now I feel much more at home under a fedora - apart from anything else, the hat works as a sort of miniature umbrella.
        paulcole 5y ago
        I mean yes, this is exactly what I’m talking about. Use semi-colons if you want and wear a fedora if you want, but understand the image you’re putting out into the world if you do.
        mdp2021 5y ago
        Whereas, how would you evaluate the image you would project, by not using semicolons (or anything that would fall into this matter of use, appropriateness and possible reactions) when appropriate, or by refusing to do it to follow the use of some not better defined writers, or for fear of the judgement of some very generically mentioned public? Which kind of public are you courting?