@RobAnderson0 Spot on; aren't you a clever little thing! Careful on your apostrophes/homophones though- that should be "you're" not "your" (see my colleague Miss Humphris video on this through my channel- will add it to the Top 5 Writing Skills playlist)
doesn't this mean that when you are describing something your paragraphs will be full of semicolons? "my house is big; I live there" "I love my house; it has a big TV in it" "my house is by the sea; there is a beach outside". when do we know not to use a semi colon?
@geewizer33 Simple- watch my video on varying sentence structure and then just mix it up a bit. Part of writing well is sustaining the interest of the reader; to do this, you have to demonstrate a bit of variety. See? Although I could use a semicolon in every sentence, I'm keeping it interesting by employing a variety of other structure too. Winner!
@HannieeK Glad to be of asisstance! That wouldn't really work as your semicolon is splicing the first clause. I'd go with either "People who like trains are very cool; they often have lots of friends." or "People who like trains are very cool- they often have lots of friends." I also wouldn't use a comma here at all. Hope that helps, good luck with exams.
@TheRollthebones I wouldn't use a comma in this context; it would be ugly. Have a look at my video on sentence structure (in the top five writing tips playlist available on my channel) to see how to use commas in sentences.
@AshRamtohul No but that is a very good idea so will sort something out- watch this space.
p.s. would a link in the video description which opens a PDF file do it? Also, should i do answers on a seperate file or the second page of the same one? Ideas gratefully received!
@cherrycakesbaybee Exactly right- couldn't be simpler. There are loads of other uses as well but if you stick to this principle (and don't overuse them) examiners will love it. Think of semicolons as a long pause in a speech; they can help you create drama!
@cherrycakesbaybee, This may be a little late, but I have noticed your example of a complex sentence joined by the Semicolon. You're right, it does seem strange. Primarily because the two independent thoughts you use aren't entirely related. I was taught that they had to be closely related thoughts. In your example, I feel your approach could avoid the Semicolon. I am no Guru; I'm sure you can find punctuation mistakes in this message, but I thought I'd try to add why I think it's strange too.
@jonzillaz True that the clauses should be related but, bear in mind that the relationships between clauses is entirely based on their context so, whilst in answer to the question "what is your name?", "My name is Cherry; I love youtube." may not be entirely accurate in a technical sense, in answer to the prompt "tell me something about yourself." it would work admirably. Remember that the rules of English punctuation are constantly being broken; the better the writer, the more they break them!
hi can you do more english video's please because i found this video easy to understand and really helpfull. thanks
gamesaver1000 3 weeks ago
If I get an A*, I will drive to Bichester to shake your hand.
ownage369 9 months ago 4
I have big penis; everyone likes it.
Sorry couldn't think of a clean example :D
ChrisTheSpiritOfGods 9 months ago
Your using lots of semicolons in your answers to comments; I find it interesting and humorous. << Was that right??
RobAnderson0 9 months ago
@RobAnderson0 Spot on; aren't you a clever little thing! Careful on your apostrophes/homophones though- that should be "you're" not "your" (see my colleague Miss Humphris video on this through my channel- will add it to the Top 5 Writing Skills playlist)
bm124 9 months ago
doesn't this mean that when you are describing something your paragraphs will be full of semicolons? "my house is big; I live there" "I love my house; it has a big TV in it" "my house is by the sea; there is a beach outside". when do we know not to use a semi colon?
geewizer33 9 months ago
@geewizer33 Simple- watch my video on varying sentence structure and then just mix it up a bit. Part of writing well is sustaining the interest of the reader; to do this, you have to demonstrate a bit of variety. See? Although I could use a semicolon in every sentence, I'm keeping it interesting by employing a variety of other structure too. Winner!
bm124 9 months ago
@bm124 YOU ACTUALLY REPLIED????!!! WOW, never seen the channel owner actually reply
geewizer33 9 months ago
On your download sheet, for question one: People who like trains are very cool and they often have lots of friends.
Could you put - People who like trains; are very cool - they often have lots of friends? or instead of the hyphen a comma?
Thank you :) our teacher isn't very good at explaining but you make it sound so simple!
HannieeK 9 months ago
@HannieeK Glad to be of asisstance! That wouldn't really work as your semicolon is splicing the first clause. I'd go with either "People who like trains are very cool; they often have lots of friends." or "People who like trains are very cool- they often have lots of friends." I also wouldn't use a comma here at all. Hope that helps, good luck with exams.
bm124 9 months ago
whats the difference between this and a coma then?
TheRollthebones 9 months ago
@TheRollthebones I wouldn't use a comma in this context; it would be ugly. Have a look at my video on sentence structure (in the top five writing tips playlist available on my channel) to see how to use commas in sentences.
bm124 9 months ago
You are a great teacher; you have taught me a lot.
rUBIKhasgame 10 months ago
One of the best I have seen so far, is there a task sheet?
AshRamtohul 10 months ago
@AshRamtohul No but that is a very good idea so will sort something out- watch this space.
p.s. would a link in the video description which opens a PDF file do it? Also, should i do answers on a seperate file or the second page of the same one? Ideas gratefully received!
bm124 10 months ago
@AshRamtohul Task sheet can now be downloaded from the link in the description.
bm124 10 months ago
Yes indeed, but surely like this:
"indeed you are a good teacher; an English teacher in life?"
bm124 1 year ago
indeed you are a good teacher
a real english teacher in life??
18queen4ever 1 year ago
wow ! in all my time spent in high scool this is the first time ive understood semi colons
:O
aemnaemz 1 year ago
Thanks....
Aristadoe 1 year ago
i like football ; i hate cricket
904FM 1 year ago
i like football; i hate cricket
904FM 1 year ago
Thanks
PhazeDesigns 1 year ago
Thanks for the advice; it really helped!
matster150 1 year ago
@matster150 Spot on; use it in the exam.
bm124 1 year ago
My name is Cherry; I love youtube.
Is that right? It seems strange to me.
cherrycakesbaybee 1 year ago
@cherrycakesbaybee Exactly right- couldn't be simpler. There are loads of other uses as well but if you stick to this principle (and don't overuse them) examiners will love it. Think of semicolons as a long pause in a speech; they can help you create drama!
bm124 1 year ago
@cherrycakesbaybee, This may be a little late, but I have noticed your example of a complex sentence joined by the Semicolon. You're right, it does seem strange. Primarily because the two independent thoughts you use aren't entirely related. I was taught that they had to be closely related thoughts. In your example, I feel your approach could avoid the Semicolon. I am no Guru; I'm sure you can find punctuation mistakes in this message, but I thought I'd try to add why I think it's strange too.
jonzillaz 1 year ago
@jonzillaz True that the clauses should be related but, bear in mind that the relationships between clauses is entirely based on their context so, whilst in answer to the question "what is your name?", "My name is Cherry; I love youtube." may not be entirely accurate in a technical sense, in answer to the prompt "tell me something about yourself." it would work admirably. Remember that the rules of English punctuation are constantly being broken; the better the writer, the more they break them!
bm124 10 months ago