Quick grammar question

LadyM

I know that when you connect two sentences with a semicolon, the first word of the second sentence isn't capitalized. But in this case the start of the second sentence is a quotation. Would the first letter be capitalized in this case, since it is capitalized in the quotation?

Raneados

I believe you are allowed to fix it to be lower case to be grammatically correct

unless it's a word that should be capitalized always

TychoCelchuuu

I've seen it both ways so nobody will shoot you if you capitalize it, but AFAIK you would change it to lowercase.

LadyM

Thanks, guys.

Cyd Cyclone

I would avoid using a semi-colon to link a quotation to another sentence. It's bad form. If you can't reasonably link the two sentences together with an introductory clause, you should probably rework the sentence.

As for modifying capitalization, AFAIK it is fine to modify initial capitals in quotations without using brackets across all citation systems.

Thanatos

Cyd Cyclone wrote: »

I would avoid using a semi-colon to link a quotation to another sentence. It's bad form. If you can't reasonably link the two sentences together with an introductory clause, you should probably rework the sentence.

As for modifying capitalization, AFAIK it is fine to modify initial capitals in quotations without using brackets across all citation systems.

Yeah, I wouldn't use a semicolon immediately before a quotation at all.

Cyd Cyclone

Thanatos wrote: »

Cyd Cyclone wrote: »

I would avoid using a semi-colon to link a quotation to another sentence. It's bad form. If you can't reasonably link the two sentences together with an introductory clause, you should probably rework the sentence.

As for modifying capitalization, AFAIK it is fine to modify initial capitals in quotations without using brackets across all citation systems.

Yeah, I wouldn't use a semicolon immediately before a quotation at all.

I had a professor once that said he would drop a letter grade for every misplaced semi-colon. It quickly became apparent that no one knew how to properly use a semi-colon.

LadyM

I sent the paper in last night before seeing the comments on not using a quote after a semi-colon. Oh well, too late for regrets.

Thanatos

Cyd Cyclone wrote: »

Thanatos wrote: »

Cyd Cyclone wrote: »

I would avoid using a semi-colon to link a quotation to another sentence. It's bad form. If you can't reasonably link the two sentences together with an introductory clause, you should probably rework the sentence.

As for modifying capitalization, AFAIK it is fine to modify initial capitals in quotations without using brackets across all citation systems.

Yeah, I wouldn't use a semicolon immediately before a quotation at all.

I had a professor once that said he would drop a letter grade for every misplaced semi-colon. It quickly became apparent that no one knew how to properly use a semi-colon.

If I had a professor that did that, I would simply stop using them, because I would assume the professor didn't know where they went, either.

Raneados

semicolons are hard to use

so don't

riz

I take them out of things I'm editing all the time. Usually they don't add much to the sentence except further confusion.

Best advice for editorial confusion: When in doubt, just rewrite the sentence to avoid the debatable part. :rotate: