Semicolon or dash?

[99bottles]

He was smiling; after all, he was unaware of the danger.

He was smiling - after all, he was unaware of the danger.


What's the difference?

Also, here is the thing. I only recently found out that there is a punctuation mark called dash. So far, I have always used semicolons to connect related ideas. Is this terribly wrong? I'm willing to go back to everything I've written so far and replace semicolons with dashes wherever necessary. So tell me the truth, no matter how much it hurts. Have I been wrong all this time I used just semicolons?

 

[Tarheel]

A semicolon is sort of a cross between a comma and a period. But you're not asking about that, are you?

What you use in post #1 is a hyphen or what some would call an em-dash (I think). (My virtual keyboard doesn't have a dash key, so I have to use two hyphens.)

No, don't change all your semicolons to dashes.

Do you want somebody to explain the function of a dash? (I am sitting here surrounded by donuts. How am I supposed to concentrate on this stuff? ;-) )

 

[99bottles]

I can wait until tomorrow. Enjoy your donuts (personally, I don't like donuts :lol and, tomorrow, explain why I don't need to worry about changing my semicolons into dashes.

 

[Tarheel]

Use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses. Use a dash to um, finish a thought. Hm. I had an example in mind earlier, but darn it that was hours ago. Wait! How about these? (See below.)

Was he going to just sit there and take it -- not on your life!

It was inside -- deep inside!

Woah -- slow down!

I think those are decent examples.

(I only had one donut. ;-) )

 

[Tarheel]

Here's another.

I don't mind -- not at all!

 

[Rover_KE]

Read more here.

 

[99bottles]

So do I need to go back, check all my semicolons and replace some of them with dashes after all?

 

[jutfrank]

So do I need to go back, check all my semicolons and replace some of them with dashes after all?

I would, yes.

Personally, I find the use of semicolons in the kind of literature you write quite misplaced. As a serious writer, you really ought to learn how to use em-dashes.

 

[99bottles]

I would, yes.

Personally, I find the use of semicolons in the kind of literature you write quite misplaced. As a serious writer, you really ought to learn how to use em-dashes.

Wait, you mean I must replace all semicolons?

 

[jutfrank]

Wait, you mean I must replace all semicolons?

No, I didn't say 'all' of them and I didn't say you 'must'. Obviously, I'd have to see the contexts to say more, but speaking very generally, I feel that semicolons are not very appropriate in the kind of fiction that you write, period.

 

[99bottles]

No, I didn't say 'all' of them and I didn't say you 'must'. Obviously, I'd have to see the contexts to say more, but speaking very generally, I feel that semicolons are not very appropriate in the kind of fiction that you write, period.

First of all, how do you know what I write?

Secondly... new problem... my keyboard doesn't seem to have dashes! :loling: Should I use hyphens instead?

 

[Tarheel]

First of all, how do you know what I write?

I was wondering that myself. ;-)

Secondly... new problem... my keyboard doesn't seem to have dashes! :loling: Should I use hyphens instead?

I have the same problem. I use two hyphens for a dash.

If I have forgotten something I'm sure somebody will remind me. ;-)

 

[99bottles]

If I have forgotten something I'm sure somebody will remind me. ;-)

I tried using two hyphens a few minutes ago and they were automatically replaced with a dash. Problem solved!

 

[jutfrank]

First of all, how do you know what I write?

First of all, it's pretty obvious what you write, judging from the sentences you ask us about. Second, you sent me a link to your masterpiece a couple of years back. Glad you remember.

Secondly... new problem... my keyboard doesn't seem to have dashes! :loling: Should I use hyphens instead?

Most (I think) word processing software automatically converts a double hyphen into an em-dash.

Alternatively, use: alt+0151

 

[emsr2d2]

Most (I think) word processing software automatically converts a double hyphen into an em-dash.

Alternatively, use: alt+0151

Neither of those work on a Mac keyboard. Here are my attempts at using each:

I don't know what to do -- the double dash doesn't work.
I don't know what to do º¡∞¡ the double dash doesn't work.

 

[jutfrank]

Neither of those work on a Mac keyboard.

Apparently, option + shift + minus will do it.