Use of semi colon question?

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Hymer - 03 Sep 2006 04:47 GMT

Hello,

Does anyone know the rules for using a comma vs. a semi colon in a sentence
such as:

The colors are: (a) red, (b) blue, (c) yellow.

and

The house has: (a) a roof, shingled, and blue color, (b) a kitchen with
sink, range, and microwave, and (b) garage with cement floor, plasterboard
walls, and electronic doors.

Should a semi colon be sued to separate (a), (b) and (c) in either example?

Thanks,

Bob

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aalaan - 03 Sep 2006 05:41 GMT

An interesting question, but you did show an example that was (a), (b),
(b)...

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Bob

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Opinicus - 03 Sep 2006 14:21 GMT

> Does anyone know the rules for using a comma vs. a semi colon

These are pretty good:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semicolon

> The house has: (a) a roof, shingled, and blue color, (b) a kitchen with
> sink, range, and microwave, and (b) garage with cement floor, plasterboard
> walls, and electronic doors.

> Should a semi colon be sued to separate (a), (b) and (c) in either
> example?

Semicolons would be incorrect in the first example. I would write the second
example as:

<quote>
The house has (a) a blue shingled roof; (b) a kitchen with sink, range, and
microwave; and (c) a garage with a cement floor, plasterboard walls, and
electric doors.
</quote>

But then I learned spelling and grammar in The Old School.

By the way, I never saw a lawyer desperate enough to go so far as to sue a
*semicolon*. ;-)

--
Bob's Editing Service. Insert coin [] here.
http://www.kanyak.com

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Patrick Page - 02 Nov 2006 09:03 GMT

1=no; 2=yes.

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Bob

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