\n
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n
Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead more<\/span><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nF<\/span>ollowing Helen Coffey\u2019s lament over the declining use of the semicolon, Independent<\/em> readers responded by voicing their own grammar and spelling frustrations. <\/p>\nCoffey highlighted that usage of the semicolon \u2013 described as \u201ca chic little grammatical tool\u201d \u2013 has halved in English books over the past 25 years.<\/p>\n
Her piece revealed that most students don\u2019t understand how to use it, while others consider it showy or obsolete.<\/p>\n
In response, some readers rallied to its defence, praising the semicolon\u2019s unique ability to connect closely related ideas without breaking the rhythm of a sentence. <\/p>\n
Others, echoing writers like Kurt Vonnegut, dismissed it as pretentious and unnecessary. Meanwhile, a few pointed to its declining relevance in an age of emojis, AI, and rapid-fire messaging.<\/p>\n
Beyond semicolons, readers expressed wider concerns about the erosion of grammatical standards. Common irritants included the misuse of \u201cof\u201d instead of \u201chave,\u201d confusion between \u201ctheir,\u201d \u201cthere,\u201d and \u201cthey\u2019re,\u201d and the increasing appearance of apostrophes in plural forms. <\/p>\n
Many blamed the education system, arguing that grammar is no longer properly taught in schools.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what you had to say:<\/p>\n
A pause longer than a comma<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nI use a semicolon where a pause needs to be longer than a comma, but not a full stop; em dashes (not “en dashes”) I always use in pairs \u2013 never singly \u2013 to drop in a side note. <\/p>\n
RodJones<\/em><\/p>\n
Should of instead of should have<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nFor me, the most annoying assault on the English language is the ever-growing use of the word “of” when it should be “have”; for instance, “he should of”, instead of “he should have.”<\/p>\n
TalksSense<\/em><\/p>\n
Their, there, they’re \u2013 a grammar blender<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nSorry, but I want to scream when I see “their”, “there” and “they’re” put in the blender. When I was in school in the 1950s, punishment would have been swift and dire. <\/p>\n
Kenhubert<\/em><\/p>\nShare your biggest grammar gripes in the comments<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Vonnegut\u2019s disdain for semicolons<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nI persist in my use of the semicolon in defiance of the great Kurt Vonnegut’s most famous piece of advice to writers \u2013 \u201cFirst rule: Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you’ve been to college.\u201d <\/p>\n
Zandeman<\/em><\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/05\/21\/14\/12\/Engagement-overlays-(32).png?width=1200&auto=webp&trim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0\")
<\/p>\n