Grammar Question about Sentences

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Let’s say that you have a sentence seperated by a colon; the first part is interrogative while the second part is indicative (or vice versa). Should you put a question mark or period at its end?</p>

<p>For example:</p>

<p>Do you want me to get you anything; I’m going to the store this evening (. or ?)</p>

<p>or </p>

<p>Renee is entering graduate school next year; do you know what she is studying (? or .)</p>

<p>Is there a rule about this?</p>

2

<p>You can’t really do this with a semi-colon. Split these into two separate sentences, or re-word them entirely.</p>

<p>Do you want me to get you anything? I’m going to the store this evening.
or
When I go to the store this evening can I get you anything?</p>

<p>Rene is entering graduate school next year. Do you know what she is studying?
or
Do you know what Rene is studying in grad school next year?</p>

3

<p>You’re using a semicolon (not a colon) to join main clauses. Semicolons are often used instead of the more common comma+coordinating conjunction when there is a very close relationship between the two ideas. You would not use a semicolon to join a statement and a question. If you insist on one sentence, try a subordinate clause (as suggested above).</p>

4

<p>By and large it’s a good thing to avoid semicolons - unless you are writing* The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.*</p>

5

<p>So true mathmom!</p>