You don’t need another example, do you? Really? Fine, here you go.Example 2:
Incorrect: Over the course of this chapter. I’ve developed a terrible dependency
on examples.
Correct: Over the course of this chapter, I’ve developed a terrible dependency on
examples.
That last example also involved commas. Don’t worry, we’re going to get to
commas. But first . . .
SEMICOLONS: SLIGHTLY LESS SIMPLE, BUT STILL PRETTY SIMPLE
Here’s how a grammarian would define the semicolon: A semicolon connects
two independent clauses.
Example:
Incorrect: We’re sick and tired of blueberry pie, we’ve been eating it for weeks.
Correct: We’re sick and tired of blueberry pie; we’ve been eating it for weeks.
But wait! Isn’t that just like a period?!?! Excellent question. A grammarian
would say that a semicolon differs from a period in that it connects closely
linked ideas. But that is a totally subjective judgment. So remember this: The
Testing Serpent does not test the difference between the semicolon and the
period. For the sake of this test, they are exactly the same.