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Semicolon use in English falls by nearly half in 25 years; is it just a pause?
The Guardian
|May 19, 2025
"Do not use semicolons," wrote Kurt Vonnegut, who averaged fewer than 30 a novel. "All they do is show you've been to college."
Now a study suggests UK authors are taking Vonnegut's advice to heart; the semicolon seems to be in terminal decline, with its usage in English books dropping from one every 205 words at the start of this century to just one every 390 words today.
Further research by Lisa McLendon, the author of The Perfect English Grammar Workbook, found 67% of British students never or rarely use the punctuation mark. Just 11% of respondents described themselves as frequent users.
Denne historien er fra May 19, 2025-utgaven av The Guardian.
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FLERE HISTORIER FRA The Guardian
The Guardian
Gabbard resigns as intelligence director after rift with Trump
Tulsi Gabbard is leaving her post as US director of national intelligence after a tumultuous stint in which she was largely sidelined as Donald Trump launched attacks on Venezuela and Iran.
2 mins
May 23, 2026
The Guardian
UK seeking single market for goods - but EU says no
Ministers have pitched to create a single market for goods with the EU as the cornerstone of an ambitious attempt to reintegrate British trade into Europe, the Guardian can reveal.
3 mins
May 23, 2026
The Guardian
Immunotherapy How does it work and what can it treat?
Clinical trials of immunotherapies have rocketed in the past decade as researchers have turned their understanding of the body’s defences into powerful new treatments.
3 mins
May 23, 2026
The Guardian
Mortgages ‘Trackers are back’, but is one the right choice for you?
The uncertain outlook for interest rates is making tracker deals popular again. Rupert Jones looks at the pros and cons of the loans
5 mins
May 23, 2026
The Guardian
Reeves allies launch bid to help her keep her job if PM goes
Rachel Reeves has launched a rearguard action to save her job as chancellor, telling friends she would like to stay in the post even under a new prime minister.
3 mins
May 23, 2026
The Guardian
‘He’s a natural’ Allies give thumbs up to punchy social media style
Andy Burnham’s fingers must be aching. Between pitching to become the MP for Makerfield, continuing in his day job as the mayor of Greater Manchester and going for his regular runs, Keir Starmer’s would-be challenger has found enough time to reply to dozens of posts on social media.
3 mins
May 23, 2026
The Guardian
Hawking's father worried his boy 'does not study much'
Stephen Hawking was one of the most celebrated minds of our time, carrying out groundbreaking work in cosmology and theoretical physics and writing the global bestseller A Brief History of Time.
1 mins
May 23, 2026
The Guardian
Holt’s satirical chancellor amps it up to No 11
When Rachel Reeves became chancellor in 2024, she said it felt like “smashing one of the last glass ceilings in politics”.
1 mins
May 23, 2026
The Guardian
Marriage of children ‘legitimised’ by Taliban with new law
Child marriage appears to have been legally recognised for the first time by the Taliban in Afghanistan, as activists say “shameful” new laws make it almost impossible for girls and young women to seek divorce against their husbands’ will.
1 mins
May 23, 2026
The Guardian
Faster, higher, dirtier Athletes ready to risk all for big payday at the Enhanced Games
On the eve of the most controversial sporting event of the 21st century so far, one swimmer is explaining how it felt to take banned drugs for the first time.
3 mins
May 23, 2026
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