comma or semicolon [c. splice]: are very liberal, they also

bmo

Senior Member
Taiwan
1. My father and my mother are very liberal; they also give me some suggestions.

2. My father and my mother are very liberal, they also give me some suggestions.

After liberal, which is correct, semi-colon or comma? I think #2 is correct. It is like: He is very generous, he gives me cookies all the time. Am I right?

Thanks.
 
  • 1. My father and my mother are very liberal; they also give me some suggestions.

    2. My father and my mother are very liberal, they also give me some suggestions.

    After liberal, which is correct, semi-colon or comma? I think #2 is correct. It is like: He is very generous, he gives me cookies all the time. Am I right?

    Thanks.
    I would use a semi-colon, since it is used to separate COMPLETE sentences.

    "My father and my mother are very liberal" ---> complete sentence.

    "They also give me some suggestions" ---> complete sentence.

    Since you are joining two complete sentences, a semi-colon would be appropriate.
     
    I believe both options (1 and 2) are valid, depending on the parragraph context. Anyway, If I had to choose from one of the two, I would pick option 1, because the word 'also' makes the second semantic sentece (they...suggestions) seem as a not directly related idea.
     
    Hi bmo,

    i agree with Shoobydoowop, You do need a semi-colon between 2 independent clauses. That's why you also need one in "He is very generous; he gives me cookies all the time." For more information about this, see "comma splice" at this SITE.
     
    Hi bmo,

    i agree with Shoobydoowop, You do need a semi-colon between 2 independent clauses. That's why you also need one in "He is very generous; he gives me cookies all the time."

    You are right. I forgot to add that in order to use the comma, one must add a conjuction before the second clause.
     
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