Therefore.

[linlam]

'Therefore ' Is it followed by a semicolon in correct grammar, if you wish to emphasise a point?

[mrkester]

http://www.buzzin.net/english/semicols.htm

try here

[Ethel]

I cannot think of one example where you would use the semicolon after 'therefore'.

Therefore, I don't believe you do.

[Buenchico]

AB's server seems to only be accepting very short posts, so I'll try splitting this up:

A semicolon is used to separate two sentences where the content of the second sentence is, in some way, dependent upon the content of the first. i.e. it serves much the same function as writing 'therefore'. For example: "The traffic light is red; I must stop".

[Buenchico]

Thus, 'therefore' may serve a similar 'linking' function to a semicolon but it's certainly not followed by one.

If 'therefore' is used to start a sentence, it's normally followed by a comma (as Ethel demonstrated in her second sentence).

[Buenchico]

Some people take a more pedantic view and insist that words like 'therefore' should never be used at the start of a sentence. e.g. the pedants would tell Ethel that she should have written "I don't, therefore, believe you" or, possibly, "I therefore don't believe you" (but that version contains a 'split infinitive' which would also annoy the pedants!). I make part of my living by writing. Whichever form I choose to use, I can guarantee that an editor will change it to a different one!

Chris

[Ethel]

I love pedants. :|

[Quizmonster]

Of course, the word 'therefore' may appear at the end of a sentence or sentence-element and, consequently, there are circumstances in which it might have a semi-colon after it. For example, in a paragraph about the rules of writing, the following may appear...

"Grammar is a complex business. It is best to know the rules, therefore; not to do so leaves one open to error."

However, Linlam, as said by others above, there is no necessity for that to happen. It is generally separated from the rest of a sentence by a comma or commas.

[linlam]

Wow, thanks everyone( I feel the urge to put a semicolon in here, but I think a comma will suffice *wink), my mother-in-law is so happy to have won an argument about this! Not with me, I hasten to add, she called and asked me the question, which I couldn't answer, but I said I knew a place where I could get the answer for her!

Once again, many thanks.