Do I use a semicolon, period or comma in this example sentence?
1. The hot jelly was liquid and very runny - but when I cooled it, it became firm.
2. The hot jelly was liquid and very runny. But when I cooled it, it became firm.
3. The hot jelly was liquid and very runny; but when I cooled it, it became firm.
4. The hot jelly was liquid and very runny, but when I cooled it, it became firm.
To me, it looks nice with a dash in #1
Are the clauses related enough to merit a semicolon in #3?
I feel like it's safe to go for a period in #2
I thought I read somewhere that in some cases, you can start a sentence with 'And' or 'But'
["And now the grand finale!"]
But am I wrong to assume that "But when I cooled it, it became firm." is independent from the rest of the example sentence above.
Comments
1. The dash looks nice, but it's not really necessary here. It creates a more dramatic sentence.
2. You are correct, you can start a sentence with "but." So this one is grammatically correct, but this example flows better if you link the sentences.
3. "But" eliminates the use of the semi-colon. You would need the semi-colon if you didn't have it: "...very runny; when I cooled it..." With the "but," you've already linked the sentences.
4. This is correct.
I'm not sure what you mean by "independent," so I can't give you an answer on that.
You do not want a colon or a semicolon! You want a comma after day :three this can be a semicolon ; as a rule two seperate two impartial clauses in a sentence it is a colon : typically used for lists of objects and such
If this is for class, you want to use number 4.
In 1, you didn't use the dash correctly.
In 2, you begin your second sentence with "but," which is technically incorrect.
In 3, the semicolon is not appropriate with "but"
Your only correct sentence is 4.
Semicolons are only used to seperate two seperate but related complete thoughts; periods are used to end a complete thought.
"But when I cooled it, it became firm" is not a complete thought. You would use a comma.
I think number 3, there's two different thoughts.
They are all o.k., but the most conventional one is number 4. (comma before but)