Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Semicolons
Hi all,
Please check if the usage of semicolons in the following sentence is correct.
“By performing data transmission; communication of A and B of C, and D; and serial communication, since the communication is …”
Things to be performed here are:
1. data transmission;
2. communication of A and B of C, and communication of D; and
3. serial communication.
Semicolons are used to clarify (2), i.e., to clarify that A and B are “of C” and not “of C and D.”
But, I feel rather uncomfortable putting a comma after semicolons in this case, because, grammatically, it makes it look as though the sentence “since the communication is…” modifies (3) serial communication.
Thanks in advance!
Please check if the usage of semicolons in the following sentence is correct.
“By performing data transmission; communication of A and B of C, and D; and serial communication, since the communication is …”
Things to be performed here are:
1. data transmission;
2. communication of A and B of C, and communication of D; and
3. serial communication.
Semicolons are used to clarify (2), i.e., to clarify that A and B are “of C” and not “of C and D.”
But, I feel rather uncomfortable putting a comma after semicolons in this case, because, grammatically, it makes it look as though the sentence “since the communication is…” modifies (3) serial communication.
Thanks in advance!
Top answer
You are probably the only one who will ever understand this sentence anyway. I often think of the semi as a weak period or a strong comma (an old rule I heard somewhere). I join in your concern about the "since" clause.
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You are probably the only one who will ever understand this sentence anyway. 
I often think of the semi as a weak period or a strong comma (an old rule I heard somewhere).
I join in your concern about the "since" clause. I'd precede it with a semi.
The way I look at it is, you're demoting the commas in yo
I often think of the semi as a weak period or a strong comma (an old rule I heard somewhere).
I join in your concern about the "since" clause. I'd precede it with a semi.
The way I look at it is, you're demoting the commas in yo
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Avangi,
Thank you for replying!
The sentence goes on like this.
“since the serial communication is performed as bidirectional communication, ------ is realized.”
Sorry for the vagueness, but I’m not supposed to put up the original sentence here so…
I wish I could reorganize the sentence like you suggest, but I'm not allowed to do that.
If I pu
Thank you for replying!
The sentence goes on like this.
“since the serial communication is performed as bidirectional communication, ------ is realized.”
Sorry for the vagueness, but I’m not supposed to put up the original sentence here so…
I wish I could reorganize the sentence like you suggest, but I'm not allowed to do that.
If I pu
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Sorry. I've written six comprehensive replies over the past three days, and they've all been Ooopsed.
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Things are looking better. CSO (cheerfully start over)
The short answer is "yes," and "yes." My opinion is not necessarily authoritative, but it's what I'd do under the circumstances. My best advice is that the sentence should be reorganized into two or three sentences, depending on what's in the missing part, but I accept that this is not an option. I think as it stands it will be under
The short answer is "yes," and "yes." My opinion is not necessarily authoritative, but it's what I'd do under the circumstances. My best advice is that the sentence should be reorganized into two or three sentences, depending on what's in the missing part, but I accept that this is not an option. I think as it stands it will be under
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Ah yes! There it is!
We feel uncomfortable using the comma to set off the "since" clause, because it no longer has the clout to command a substantial stop. Therefore the semi is a must, both before and after the "since" clause.
Best regards, - A.
We feel uncomfortable using the comma to set off the "since" clause, because it no longer has the clout to command a substantial stop. Therefore the semi is a must, both before and after the "since" clause.
Best regards, - A.
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