A difficult part of writing for me is when a single sentence–especially dialogue–contains two tones. It sounds best as a single sentence, but ending with a period, or alternative punctuation, looks wrong. As well as this, using two sentences also looks wrong.

I can’t think of a great example right now, but I know I’ve wanted punctuation that doesn’t exist before. I’ve had moments where it would have been so useful to have a “;!” and a “;?” mark.

  • Rhynoplaz
    8•1 month ago

    Is a new mark necessary? Just taking out the semicolon does exactly what you want.

    Hell, the semicolon was pretty much invented because someone thought “What if I want a compound sentence, but can’t decide on a conjunction to put between them?”

    How often does anybody use THOSE? (In English, C++ doesn’t count)

    • HEXN3TOP
      -1•1 month ago

      The sentence doesn’t have emphasis unless I use italics, which isn’t always convenient, or sometimes even possible (writing, software with no formatting).

      Also, I use semicolons–and double hyphens, for that matter–quite frequently. I love using them.

      • Rhynoplaz
        3•1 month ago

        So, you just like putting wacky symbols in your writing despite grammar?

        Just start writing all your posts in l33t speak!

        533m5 11k3 7h47 m19h7 83 219h7 up y0u2 4113y!