Grammatical Struggles;

I love writing and editing. It doesn’t matter if I’m reading articles, novels, letters; I always edit them in my head. Of course, I am not a master at all grammar, but that doesn’t stop me from getting excited when I get to edit someone’s paper or even just edit a magazine article for my own satisfaction and pleasure. One specific piece of grammar I struggle with is the use of semicolons, including the one I used above.  I always feel a little uneasy and unsure if I am allowed to use a semicolon or if I need to just use a period. When is a person supposed to use a semicolon, and why do they really need it? I’m not entirely sure.

I understand that it divides two complete thoughts while connecting them at the same time, but there’s still a big question mark in my mind when it comes to using them. Sometimes in my writing I’ll start to use a semicolon, but then reconsider because I am scared it is not correct. When in doubt, I play it safe. Running through my mind as I write this, is how I can write a sentence using a semicolon properly but my mind fails me. I believe that very rarely does it ever need to be used in the written world. A person can use “and” to connect his ideas or if they are both complete thoughts a period works wonderfully.

Thankfully, it is easy to avoid using semicolons, but it also makes me feel slightly defeated in the English world. If I am an English major with a desire to teach high school students how to accurately use grammar in their writing, how can I have problems using it? It makes me feel unqualified in a way; it’s hypocritical of me. That probably shouldn’t be there, but like usual, I am not sure. The average person wouldn’t give a second thought about if a semicolon was used correctly in the sentence they just read. They would continue reading the piece and try to understand the meaning as a whole rather than scrutinize the mechanics of the writing.

It’s so easy for me to find little mistakes in the writings of others, but when it comes to my own work I question it and fear that multiple errors are generously scattered about. Hopefully, I will continue to improve my own grammar, and gain more confidence and knowledge, so I may successfully teach others.