TYPE FOUR. ------- ; ------- .

     This type of sentence is like a walnut; it has two inter-related halves.  It is therefore different from Type One, Type Two and Type Three sentences, which are “stretched out” like noodles.  In the Type Four sentence, there is no conjunction; instead of a comma (which is usually followed by a conjunction), there is a semi-colon (;).  Here are some examples: 
My brother likes ice cream; I hate it.
The teacher taught the class diligently; the students slept soundly. 
She gets up at six every morning; he sleeps until noon. 
 
     You can NOT write a Type Four sentence like this: 
The weather in London is cold; and in New York it is hot. 
A semi-colon (;) does not allow a conjunction after it, but a comma (,) does. 
 
     What does a semi-colon do, and what is it used for?  It provides a way for two different, but very closely-related ideas to be “married” into one sentence.  Just as a husband and a wife are different people, when they are married, they enter under one roof.  Therefore, the ideas in a Type Four sentence are separate, but they are very closely related. 
 
     Consider these two sentences--one uses a comma, and the other uses a semi-colon:
I like to “burn money”; I hate to smell the smoke.  
I like to “burn money” (spend money), but I hate to smell the “smoke”. 
 
     Both sentences are good, but the semi-colon gives the second sentence a different “feel”–it is more direct, and has a “punch”.  Sometimes, having two closely-related ideas in one sentence conveys meaning more effectively than having the ideas in separate sentences. 
 
     Type Four sentences should not be long!  (This is why I liken them to “walnuts”, which have two similar halves, and not to “noodles”, which are stretched out.)  When you write Type Four sentences, they should be simple, balanced and short, and the two halves should be related to each other.  Length and complexity are not important here; rather, brevity, logical construction, balance, inter-relationship are important. 
 
     18th Century writing is a good place to see many examples of Type Four sentences, (cf, Oliver Goldsmith, “The Vicar Of Wakefield”).  Although such writing appears artificial by today’s standards, and it is very “neo-classical” (it uses balance, restraint, and control), it provides a “structural starting-point” for you, today’s writer, to build upon.  Out of the artificial can develop one’s own personal style.  I suggest that you read and re-read certain passages from “The Vicar Of Wakefield”, so as to better understand and internalize Oliver Goldsmith’s style. 
 
     When writing a Type Four sentence, make a sentence plan first, to make sure that the sentence is logical and balanced.  For example: 
(Mary – like – biscuits) ; (James – prefer – bread). 
Then, consider the language you will use: 
Mary likes biscuits; James prefers bread. 
 
     Sentence plans for these sentences are very necessary!  Do not over-look this stage of the writing process for any reason, as having a previously thought-out plan will force you to write in a certain way, and this will help to control your content and language.  Therefore, structure takes precedent over language–for now. 
 
     Once the logic and structure are settled, then you can work out the SVO structure.  In the early stages of your writing development, the (SVO ; SVO) structure is preferred.    Again: 
Peter likes garlic; Mark prefers peppers. 
 
     When writing Type Four sentences, it is better to have fewer adjective and adverb additions, as a “lean and gaunt” sentence looks better than a “sleek and well-fed” sentence.  (You decide, here, as to how you like your sentences....) 
 
     If you like, you can establish a sort of “semantic symmetry” in your Type Four sentences.  As in the study of symmetry (in maths), you can have balance in your sentence.  Compare: 
The children brought the vegetables home; their mother baked a vegetable stew for dinner. 
In this sentence, “children” matches with “mother”, “brought” goes with “baked”, “vegetables” is with “stew”, and “home” pairs with “dinner”.  There is a certain “inner balance” in this sentence. 
 
     Here are some example sentences: 
Example 1 –
Office – work – hot – day ; apartment – sleep – cool – comfortable. 
The office I work in is hot and uncomfortable by day; the apartment I sleep in is cool and comfortable at night. 
Example 2 –
Wind – blows – leaves ; cat – stirs – sleep. 
The wind outside furiously blows the leaves of the forest here and there; the cat on my bed gently stirs in its sleep. 
 
     Here are some exercises for you.  Using the above examples, please make five Type Four sentences.  Remember, making a well-balanced sentence is more important than making a long sentence.