Page 93 - English for Writing Research Papers

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4.14 Only use semicolons in lists

The only time you really need to use semicolons is to divide up short lists to show
how each element in the list relates to each other. Note how S2 is clearer than S1
through the helpful use of semicolons.

S1. *The partners in the various projects are A, B and C, P and Q, X and Y and Z.
S2. The partners in the various projects are A, B and C; P and Q; X; and Y and Z.

S2 shows more clearly that there are four groups of partners: (1) A, B, C; (2) P, Q;
(3) X; (4) Y, Z.

But if your list is long, as in the OV below, it is better to divide it up into shorter
sentences.

original version (ov) revised version (rv)
Our system is based on four Our system is based on four components. Firstly,

components: it has many data fi les it has many data files, for example the weather,
(the weather, people, places, etc.); people, and places. Secondly, it has procedures
it has procedures which it tries to use which it tries to use to combine these fi les by

to combine these files by working working out how to respond to certain types
out how to respond to certain types or patterns of questions and this entails the
or patterns of questions (this entails user knowing what types of questions it can
the user knowing what types of answer. Thirdly, it has a form to understand
questions it can answer); it has a the questions posed in a natural language,
form to understand the questions which means the user needs to know English.
posed in a natural language (so the It then translates the natural language into one of
user may need to know English) the types of questions it knows how to answer.
which it then translates into one of Finally, it has a very powerful display module,
the types of questions it knows which it uses to show the answers.

how to answer; finally, it has a very These answers are shown using graphs,
powerful display module, which it maps, histograms etc.
uses to show the answers, using
graphs, maps, histograms etc.

The RV is longer than the OV but it is much clearer for the reader because it:

• uses six short sentences rather than one long one. The semicolons have been

replaced by full stops.

• clearly distinguishes the four components by using fi rstly, secondly etc.
• removes the brackets