Why I Don’t; Semicolon (grammar rant)

by Linus Rylander

I’m actually not a complete grammatical chucklehead, as today’s title might make you think… though I might as well be.

(it doesn’t really matter)

Here’s the thing about grammar: its function is to make clear communication easier and well… clearer… when communicating through the written word.

Or, at least I think so. I can’t see any other function of grammatical rules that would be even remotely useful. (maybe as distractions for our friendly neighborhood grammar police)

Semicolons suck.

No one really knows what their purpose is.

I stumbled across this article today, from Dictionary.com: Is the semicolon just plain silly? How exactly does one use it, and why is it called a “colon?

Here is their explanation:

Though not a period or a comma, the semicolon is often used to list items and link related clauses. When used instead of a period between two sentences, the semicolon links the two and lets the reader know that both sentences have a stronger relationship to each other than the sentences around them.

The comma symbol within the semicolon denotes a slight pause instead of a full stop or period – leading many to incorporate the semicolon within a sentence to hint of fluidity.

Okay, I suppose that’s a reasonable explanation… but here’s the point:

If some function of grammar is confusing enough to need an explanation… it isn’t worth using.

One of the fundamental rules of good copy is that clarity beats persuasion.

One of the reasons why Gary Halbert’s ads were so successful was that they could be read with perfect understanding by a 9-year-old.

If a grammatical rule gets in the way of clear communication, it’s automatically useless and counterproductive.

That’s why I don’t do semicolons.

If I did use it, someone might get yanked out of the “sales trance”, lose their focus and stop reading… even for just a split second. That might cost me a sale.

When in doubt, say it clearly.

What about commas?

Again, to hell with proper grammar. If you want to be an influential writer, here’s how to use commas:

  1. Read your copy (or blog post, email or tweet, or handwritten brain-dump-on-toilet-paper) out loud.
  2. Where there is a natural pause in the flow of your words… use a comma.

I learned this little tip from ole Gary H., too.

A few other tips on clear writing:

  • Don’t use semicolons, or anything else that might even slightly confuse your reader
  • Know your audience, know their language, and use their language
  • Don’t use more than one comma in a sentence
  • If you need to express more complex thoughts… use ellipses…
  • Short, punchy sentences win
  • When in doubt, use a period
  • Use active sentences (“The boy ate the cake.” vs. “The cake was eaten by the boy.”)
  • Remove words like “so” and “that” from your computer’s spellchecker… so that each time you use one of them, they’ll get underlined… ask yourself: do they really need to be there?

Next time, take another look at that email before you hit send… and see how you can make your thoughts clearer.

Later.

Linus

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691535509 Marcello Francesco

    Hey Linus… I love the way your mind ways. You’re a copywriting mad scientist; always observing ways to keep people thinking. (notice the semicolon?)

    I have to disagree though.

    Semicolons are WAY under utilized in today’s marketing lingo.

    Semicolons are an amazing way to really make a point, without being redundant.

    Nobody is going ask themselves when reading a killer sales letter “is that the correct use of a semicolon? Hmmm… Let me look that up!”

    I wholeheartedly agree with you that the language MUST be tailored to the audience.

    However, eliminating a well-placed semicolon is taking a vital tool out of your copywriting toolbox.

    My two cents.

  • Anonymous

    Hey Marcello. Your two cents much appreciated.

    I see your point, but I’m not sure I agree.

    Okay, someone might not stop and think about it (though the risk is there)… but I guess my point was to just keep it simple.

    The fact that most peope don’t understand semicolons make them sort of redundant, to an extent.

    Again, it depends on your audience… if you’ve got a copywriting blog and you’re writing to hardcore word sluts, a semicolon could be a nice touch.

    Practically never necessary though… and if used incorrectly, it would likely do more harm than good.

    Again, thanks for your comment.

    Linus 

  • Anonymous

    As a result of my email broadcast, I got some very interesting feedback from “Edward”.
    I don’t fully agree with all his points (I tend to be a bit extremist in my views… especially concerning language!) … but I think he brings up some interesting viewpoints and additional perspective. Here’s our litte interaction:
    (replies to my own comment is the follow-up convo that happened)

    —-
    Edward:
    Good points, but not so good advice. People these days are too casual with words and grammar … I am too,but depending on your industry, grammar, semicolon and all the other jargons are very important.

    Remember IM world is just one part of it, when writing reports, articles, books, and so on… Proper grammar matters and I don’t think you should tell people it is ok to be sloppy and write with bad grammar like I’m probably doing right now… But check out my papers and reports for the embassies and banks… I have to structure things properly, otherwise I will never be taken seriouslyI can afford to get away with writing casually in the IM world, but many will never get ahead in many industries because they can’t simply write and speak well.

    Cheers, Good points and one to follow, but I think people need to really focus on proper grammar so that they can apply it where necessary and get ahead in life.

  • Anonymous

    ME:

    Hey Edward, thanks for your thoughts.

    My point was not to encourage people or tell them it is OK to be sloppy and write poorly… quite the opposite. When writing to consumer markets, using things like semicolons are completely redundant in almost all cases.

    In copywriting, the point is to get sales, not impress the grammar nazis… and the rest of ‘em won’t care, anyway.

    As I mentioned in my post, you need to know your audience and use their language… if you write for banks and embassies, being a bit more grammatically strict wouldn’t hurt. 

    But the fact remains: almost all hyper-successful sales letters through history read at 5th or 6th grade English.

  • Anonymous

    EDWARD:

    Hi Linus,

    Thanks for the reply   
      “But the fact remains: almost all hyper-successful sales letters through history read at 5th or 6th grade English.”

    >>> Thats right, the point I was making was just so that people understand that they need proper grammar, and aim to be good at it

    I read the part where you say know your audience, it’s just that the copy overall kind of comes accross as saying no need for proper grammar… in Copy yes, you can get away with it, but in other areas of life it is important, and it is not to impress anyone… usually the problem is when people tend to use unnecessary “big” words to replace simple ones, that’s when it becomes confusing, but when writing books, and other kind of publications grammar is key imagine reading a newspaper without proper grammar.

    So I guess we are saying same things, and your article was just on sales copy for consumer market, maybe will be good to emphasis more on “knowing your audience” and type of copy too.

    The reason I actually replied to your email was because just last monday we hired someone who is brilliant and and perfect for the job we needed him to fill, but found out that their casual way of writing was going to become a problem for us, so we now have to decide to keep him and train him, or hire someone to help correct or write for him… all these put us at a loss because he is perfect for the job, but we can’t set him loose on the project he needs to do because of his loose writing.

  • Anonymous

    MY THOUGHTS:

    I stand by my belief that if a grammatical rule hinders clear communication, it should be ignored… even if it’s in a book or any other more “formal” media.I write everything the same way I write copy. If a situation calls for complex grammar, it can almost always be replaced by a simpler sentence.

    You almost never *have* to break any rules… as in the semicolon example… it is usually just redundant. There are often situations where you COULD use it… but you can choose not to and opt for a simpler sentence structure and choice of words.

    And, it isn’t a question of “getting away” with something… it’s simply a matter of readership. If you use simpler words, more people will read it. You shouldn’t have to think in order to comprehend a sentence…

    I’ve been reading Moby Dick recently. It was published in 1851. I read it much more slowly than most other books I read… simply because I’m not used to the type of lingo being used.

    In other words: casual language is easier to read, even if work as a banker.

    I’m not sure of the specific circumstances in your industry… and you might be forced to write in a more formal language due to stick-up-butt syndrome… 

    Again, not trying to encourage bd gramr, I’m merely an advocate of clear thought and communication.

    Cheers,
    Linus

  • Edward

    Hi Linus,

    Thanks for the reply again, … Not sure, but  my understanding is that  grammar and words  are  two different things.

    If I were to write shakespear terms  “where forth she though” etc … these days it will be difficult to understand, but then it was  the way to go.

    If I were to write today “I shooed him away” instead of just saying “I told him to leave”, then we can say we are making copy difficult to read because we making a simple sentence complex.

    If I were to write to use abreviations like FYI and LOL .. I need to know that my audience understands it

    What I’m trying to get at is that, proper using proper punctuation or grammar should not hinder your ability to express yourself better, it should only enhance it.

    and yes ..  its getting “away” not using proper grammar, which is different from using big words when simple words and sentences can do the job.

    The simple truth is that, people need to learn to write properly and use the punctuation when necessary, and  if they are writing copy to sell, they need to use proper grammar with words that the target market understands… if they don’t understand proper grammar and correct sentences then use that to get your message accross, but I would disagree that you should eliminate semicolon from all copy because  you feel it will hinder the readers ability to understand your point, or it will stop them from buying…. rather one should understand how to use it correctly … as well as other punctuation or sentence structure.

  • Anonymous

    Hey.

    I actually agree with all those things, almost. But I stand by my point that clear communication overrules anything that arbitrary rules out of a textbook says.

    As I mentioned in my previous comment… you practically never have to break a grammatical rule… but complex sentence structures, big words or advanced grammar really never have to be used.

    I’m all for using proper grammar… but once again, my point is that clarity beats all. The point of grammar is to enhance clarity… and as such, if grammar gets in the way of clarity, it should be ignored. 

    I think we’re sort of saying the same thing in many ways. 

    Either way, I appreciate your input.

    Linus

  • Linus Rylander

    Haha, cheers bud.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691535509 Marcello Francesco

    At the end of the day, it comes down to whatever fits into your writing style.

    I personally do a lot of corporate stuff. They love their semicolons.

    When I do sales letters, I admittedly rarely use them.

    I don’t question the “flow” when I’m writing.

    I do agree to keep it simple.

    Clear communication is paramount.

    Eliminating anything that impedes clear communication only strengthens your objectives…

    Dammit! Maybe I do agree…;-)

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