New BOOKLink Service Available at Hobby Airport

Houston Public Library and Houston Airports team up to offer travelers, visitors and aviation workers access to a new BOOKLink machine, ahead of expected record-setting holiday travel. The self-service kiosk offers a convenient way to get free e-books and audiobooks for readers who are on-the-go. A library card is not required; users can scan a QR code an enter a valid email address to browse and borrow from a digital pop-up library.  A limited selection of physical titles in both English and Spanish can be checked out with a MY Link library card.

For more information and to sign up for a card, visit:

HPL – MY Link – Visit Us at Houston Public Library (houstonlibrary.org)

CitizensNet | City of Houston

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Subscribe to CitizensNet or manage your preferences here:

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New BOOKLink Service Available at Hobby Airport

Houston Public Library and Houston Airports team up to offer travelers, visitors and aviation workers access to a new BOOKLink machine, ahead of expected record-setting holiday travel. The self-service kiosk offers a convenient way to get free e-books and audiobooks for readers who are on-the-go. A library card is not required; users can scan a QR code an enter a valid email address to browse and borrow from a digital pop-up library.  A limited selection of physical titles in both English and Spanish can be checked out with a MY Link library card.

For more information and to sign up for a card, visit:

HPL – MY Link – Visit Us at Houston Public Library (houstonlibrary.org)

CitizensNet | City of Houston

CitizensNet was created to share important city issues of interest to you and your neighbors.

Subscribe to CitizensNet or manage your preferences here:

houstontx.gov/citizensnet/

Thank you for your interest in the City of Houston!

Daily Writing Tips is my favorite newsletter. Great tips, great advice, and straightforward suggestions. —Beth

Let’s talk about the dos and don’ts of contractions, ’k?

(But first, this note: This punctuation mark is the same as the one used for apostrophes. However, if you use smart, or curly, quotes, your word processing program will probably incorrectly render an apostrophe not preceded by a letter — as in the last word in the opening sentence — as an open single quotation mark, so you have to outwit the witless program by copying and pasting a closed single quotation mark or an apostrophe, or typing a character followed by the proper mark, then deleting the first character.)

In a given piece of prose, the presence or absence (or relative prevalence) of contractions, or words in which one or more letters is elided or replaced — often but not always with one or more apostrophes as markers — is one of the primary determiners of formal or informal writing.

Some publications go so far as to prohibit ubiquitous contractions such as can’t, won’t, and related terms, as well as he’s and she’s, considering them inappropriate in authoritative composition. Meanwhile, some contractions are widely thought of as unseemly except when transcribing dialect or preserving archaic forms in the proper context. Here are some classes of contractions:

INFORMAL CONTRACTIONS

Gonna, wanna, and the like is considered appropriate in formal writing only when faithfully capturing colloquial speech. The same goes for such elisions as ’em (for them) and ’cept (for except). Other nonstandard forms of communicating nonstandard dialect, acceptable only in narrative or dialogue in informal contexts, include ’fraid, ’nother, s’pose, and t’other.

ARCHAICISMS

Venerable contractions such as ’twas are mostly seen in historical contexts, though they might be employed for humorous effect, such as to produce a faux-archaic sense. ’Tis time to get o’er it, e’en so. Others, seen usually in poetry, include ’gainst, heav’n, and wither’d, and many other words in which the -ed ending is so elided to conform to a poetic meter or prose rhythm. Similar constructions, like ha’e (have), i’ (in), th’ (the), and wi’ (with), are seen in the poetry of Robert Burns or other reflections of dialect.

TRADITIONAL CONTRACTIONS

A few words with contractions are incorrect any other way, and their elided forms must be honored even in the most formal contexts. These grandfathered elders include the o’ compounds cat-o’-nine-tails, jack-o’-lantern, o’clock, and will-o’-the-wisp. Ne’er-do-well is another phrase given a pass.

However, Halloween, formerly spelled Hallowe’en (from “Hallow evening,” referring to All Hallow’s Eve), has lost its contraction marker, and the maritime slang fo’c’s’le (pronounced FOKE-sul) is often spelled out in full (forecastle), though the latter use in most nautical dialogue would be clumsy and stiff. By the same token, boatswain is, outside technical contexts, spelled bosun or even bos’n. Cap’n, however, is an informal contraction of captain that, unlike bosun, is not generally seen outside dialogue.

CONTRACTIONS WITH MORE THAN ONE APOSTROPHE

He’d’ve and its feminine and plural equivalents, and wouldn’t’ve and similar words, are technically correct but inappropriate for formal writing. But in informal contexts, bring ’em on.

“Rock ’n’ roll” requires an apostrophe on each side of the letter n, to mark the preceding and following letters in and. Better yet, though, follow the spelling in most dictionary entries for the term and spell out and, just as in “rhythm and blues.”

CLIPPED FORMS

Full words such as copter or phone, formed by omitting one or more syllables from the beginning or end of a word (or, rarely, from both, as with flu being derived from influenza), do not feature an apostrophe, but some writers included the markers when the clipped forms first appeared in print, so this form is acceptable in limited usage, such as in a historical novel.

MISCELLANEOUS USAGE

Abbreviations of years, such as in the phrases “spirit of ’76” and “class of ’84,” require apostrophes.

’Til is acceptable in informal writing, but till is preferable, and until is more appropriate in formal contexts.

Two contractions are rarely seen outside column headings in charts or in newspaper headlines, where, because of space limitations, they are usually compressed, are ass’n (association) and ass’t (assistant).

Although terms like Mr., Jr., and Ltd. elide letters (and, outside American English, the periods are omitted), they are technically abbreviations, not contractions, because apostrophes are not used.

NOTES ABOUT THE FIRST PARAGRAPH

Let’s is the only contraction I can think of that is bereft of a viable full form; nobody writes “Let us” as the beginning of an invitation unless they intend to affect a stiff formality. Also, the treatment of “dos and don’ts” is correct; don’ts include an apostrophe only because don’t do. (Dos and don’ts are plural forms, not possessive ones.) Finally, ’k (or ’K) as a perky contraction of OK belongs only in social media contexts or as a snide parody of such usage.

Daily Writing Tips is my favorite newsletter. Great tips, great advice, and straightforward suggestions. —Beth

Let’s talk about the dos and don’ts of contractions, ’k?

(But first, this note: This punctuation mark is the same as the one used for apostrophes. However, if you use smart, or curly, quotes, your word processing program will probably incorrectly render an apostrophe not preceded by a letter — as in the last word in the opening sentence — as an open single quotation mark, so you have to outwit the witless program by copying and pasting a closed single quotation mark or an apostrophe, or typing a character followed by the proper mark, then deleting the first character.)

In a given piece of prose, the presence or absence (or relative prevalence) of contractions, or words in which one or more letters is elided or replaced — often but not always with one or more apostrophes as markers — is one of the primary determiners of formal or informal writing.

Some publications go so far as to prohibit ubiquitous contractions such as can’t, won’t, and related terms, as well as he’s and she’s, considering them inappropriate in authoritative composition. Meanwhile, some contractions are widely thought of as unseemly except when transcribing dialect or preserving archaic forms in the proper context. Here are some classes of contractions:

INFORMAL CONTRACTIONS

Gonna, wanna, and the like is considered appropriate in formal writing only when faithfully capturing colloquial speech. The same goes for such elisions as ’em (for them) and ’cept (for except). Other nonstandard forms of communicating nonstandard dialect, acceptable only in narrative or dialogue in informal contexts, include ’fraid, ’nother, s’pose, and t’other.

ARCHAICISMS

Venerable contractions such as ’twas are mostly seen in historical contexts, though they might be employed for humorous effect, such as to produce a faux-archaic sense. ’Tis time to get o’er it, e’en so. Others, seen usually in poetry, include ’gainst, heav’n, and wither’d, and many other words in which the -ed ending is so elided to conform to a poetic meter or prose rhythm. Similar constructions, like ha’e (have), i’ (in), th’ (the), and wi’ (with), are seen in the poetry of Robert Burns or other reflections of dialect.

TRADITIONAL CONTRACTIONS

A few words with contractions are incorrect any other way, and their elided forms must be honored even in the most formal contexts. These grandfathered elders include the o’ compounds cat-o’-nine-tails, jack-o’-lantern, o’clock, and will-o’-the-wisp. Ne’er-do-well is another phrase given a pass.

However, Halloween, formerly spelled Hallowe’en (from “Hallow evening,” referring to All Hallow’s Eve), has lost its contraction marker, and the maritime slang fo’c’s’le (pronounced FOKE-sul) is often spelled out in full (forecastle), though the latter use in most nautical dialogue would be clumsy and stiff. By the same token, boatswain is, outside technical contexts, spelled bosun or even bos’n. Cap’n, however, is an informal contraction of captain that, unlike bosun, is not generally seen outside dialogue.

CONTRACTIONS WITH MORE THAN ONE APOSTROPHE

He’d’ve and its feminine and plural equivalents, and wouldn’t’ve and similar words, are technically correct but inappropriate for formal writing. But in informal contexts, bring ’em on.

“Rock ’n’ roll” requires an apostrophe on each side of the letter n, to mark the preceding and following letters in and. Better yet, though, follow the spelling in most dictionary entries for the term and spell out and, just as in “rhythm and blues.”

CLIPPED FORMS

Full words such as copter or phone, formed by omitting one or more syllables from the beginning or end of a word (or, rarely, from both, as with flu being derived from influenza), do not feature an apostrophe, but some writers included the markers when the clipped forms first appeared in print, so this form is acceptable in limited usage, such as in a historical novel.

MISCELLANEOUS USAGE

Abbreviations of years, such as in the phrases “spirit of ’76” and “class of ’84,” require apostrophes.

’Til is acceptable in informal writing, but till is preferable, and until is more appropriate in formal contexts.

Two contractions are rarely seen outside column headings in charts or in newspaper headlines, where, because of space limitations, they are usually compressed, are ass’n (association) and ass’t (assistant).

Although terms like Mr., Jr., and Ltd. elide letters (and, outside American English, the periods are omitted), they are technically abbreviations, not contractions, because apostrophes are not used.

NOTES ABOUT THE FIRST PARAGRAPH

Let’s is the only contraction I can think of that is bereft of a viable full form; nobody writes “Let us” as the beginning of an invitation unless they intend to affect a stiff formality. Also, the treatment of “dos and don’ts” is correct; don’ts include an apostrophe only because don’t do. (Dos and don’ts are plural forms, not possessive ones.) Finally, ’k (or ’K) as a perky contraction of OK belongs only in social media contexts or as a snide parody of such usage.

How to Use Semicolons Correctly

By Sara Richmond, Nov 9, 2023 8:00:00 AM

“How hideous is the semicolon,” Samuel Beckett said.

If we had to guess, we’d say Sam received a particularly excruciating rejection letter from his first crush, complete with multiple semicolons.

We bear no such resentment. In fact, we think semicolons are incredibly useful. But let’s start at the beginning so everyone can join in the fun.

What Is a Semicolon?

A semicolon is a little punctuation person about to dance.

See here ; . Such incredible form! Such armless fluidity!

A semicolon is more forceful than a comma, but weaker than a period. It’s a way to separate two full sentences without breaking them apart, or a way to clarify a long sentence with two or more sections.

To be more specific, there are five common instances when you should use a semicolon.

5 Times to Use a Semicolon

Read more »

1. Between two full sentences (called “independent clauses”) not joined by a conjunction.*(An independent clause is a group of words containing a subject and related verb that expresses a complete thought.)

Example 1: Samuel Beckett hates semicolons; who hurt him?

Example 2: We all have our favorite punctuation marks; I’m partial to em dashes myself.

2. Between two independent clauses joined by adverbs “however,” “therefore,” and the like.

Example 1: Abraham Lincoln values the humble semicolon; however, Samuel Beckett hates it furiously.

Example 2: Sam hated semicolons thoroughly; therefore, he suggested people never use them.

3. Before an expression such as “that is,” “for example,” or “namely,” when it introduces an independent clause.

Example 1: Sammie told everyone how much he loathed semicolons; namely, that they were “hideous.”

Example 2: Sam had a pretty dire view of more than just semicolons; for example, “Dream of Fair to Middling Women: A Novel” explores his disgust with romantic relationships.

4. Before a conjunction introducing an independent clause (instead of a comma) to separate the clauses more effectively or when the second independent clause has internal punctuation.

Example 1: Abraham Lincoln wasn’t known for his looks; yet some modern afficionados refer to him as “Baberaham” Lincoln.

Example 2: Honest Abe professed an affinity for semicolons; but his most famous speech, “The Gettysburg Address,” doesn’t have a single one, though it’s rife with commas.

5. In a complex series to avoid confusion or ambiguity.

Example 1: The total gold medals awarded during the Winter Olympics were as follows: France, 3; China, 8; United States, 7; Germany, 3; Great Britain, 5.

Example 2: The defendant, in an attempt to mitigate his sentence, pleaded that he had recently, on doctor’s orders, gone off his medications; that his car—which, incidentally, he had won in the late 1970s on Let’s Make a Deal—had spontaneously caught fire; and that he had not eaten for several days.**

When Not to Use a Semicolon

If your sentence is a combination of two independent clauses joined by a conjunction, use a comma.
 

Example 1: I hate ice cream, but I still eat it every day.

Example 2: She will walk to school, and she’ll probably complain the whole way.

If there isn’t much of a chance you’ll confuse readers while writing a series, use commas.

Example 1: Don’t you just love learning about commas, semicolons, periods, and all things grammar?

Example 2: If the answer to the prior question wasn’t “Yes,” or “Yeehaw,” or “I like it. I love it. I want some more of it,” then I am sad.

If you could easily divide one sentence into two without hurting readability or flow or sense, do so with a period between them.

Example 1: He told me he’d seen a butterfly shaped like a semicolon; I’m not sure what to believe. = He told me he’d seen a butterfly shaped like a semicolon. I’m not sure what to believe.

Example 2: The gastroenterologist told me he’d seen a colon shaped like a semitruck; his nurse said he was exaggerating. = The doctor told me he’d seen a colon shaped like a semitruck. His nurse said he was exaggerating.

If you’d like more information about the use of semicolons in index entries, parenthetical text citations, or with a second subtitle of a work, please comment below, and we may include it in a future post! You can also dive into The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, for details.

*These rules are summarized from The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition section on semicolons (6.56-6.60), which ProofreadNOW.com uses as the basis for our grammar style.

**This example was taken from The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, Section 6.60, because it’s hilarious and perfect.