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Chapter 8
8.144.
Quotation marks should be limited, if possible, to three sets (double, single, double).
"The question in the report is, 'Can a person who obtains his certificate of naturalization by fraud be considered a "bona fide" citizen of the United States?' "
Semicolon
The semicolon is used—
8.145.
To separate clauses containing commas.
- Donald A. Peters, Jr., president of the First National Bank, was also a director of New York Central; Harvey D. Jones was a director of Oregon Steel Co. and New York Central; Thomas W. Harrison, chairman of the board of McBride & Co., was also on the board of Oregon Steel Co.
- Reptiles, amphibians, and predatory mammals swallow their prey whole or in large pieces, bones included; waterfowl habitually take shellfish entire; and gallinaceous birds are provided with gizzards that grind up the hardest seeds.
- Yes, sir; he did see it.
- No, sir; I do not recall.
8.146.
To separate statements that are too closely related in meaning to be written as separate sentences, and also statements of contrast.
- Yes; that is right.
- No; we received one-third.
- It is true in peace; it is true in war.
- War is destructive; peace, constructive.
8.147.
To set off explanatory abbreviations or words which summarize or explain preceding matter.
- The industry is related to groups that produce finished goods; i.e., electrical machinery and transportation equipment.
- There were three metal producers involved; namely, Jones & Laughlin, Armco, and Kennecott.
The semicolon is not used—
8.148.
Where a comma will suffice.
- Offices are located in New York, NY, Chicago, IL, and Dallas, TX.
