On Semicolons and the Rules of Writing

Re:On Semicolons and the Rules of Writing by kranner on Saturday July 14, 2018 @11:36AM (#17530712)

> When they're used to indicate a separate larger than a comma but less than separate sentences, an em-dash works just a well without any of the pretense

It is a kind of snobbery to impute pretense to the use of semicolons over dashes; it may simply be that writer’s natural preference or habit to prefer semicolons.

Where does this worrying about coming across as pretentious end?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:On Semicolons and the Rules of Writing by crazygringo on Saturday July 14, 2018 @12:31PM (#17530968)

The purpose of writing is to communicate, and a writer has to be realistic (i.e. worry) about all aspects of how their writing choices will be interpreted.

My natural preference or habit might be to swear all the time, but when I write an HN comment I'd suppress that in order to be taken seriously. Semicolons aren't as strong as swearing, but it's hard to argue they aren't associated with a certain level of pretense in the general public's mind.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:On Semicolons and the Rules of Writing by ScottBurson on Saturday July 14, 2018 @04:40PM (#17532265)

Any writer needs to consider their intended audience; but here on HN, at least, I don't think anyone needs to be shy about using semicolons.

[ Parent | on HN ]