The doctor told me to quit smoking-immediately. vs The doctor told me to quit smoking;immediately.

Both phrases are correct, but they have different punctuation. The first phrase uses a hyphen to connect the two parts, while the second phrase uses a semicolon. The choice between a hyphen and a semicolon depends on the desired emphasis and style of writing.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 4286 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"The doctor told me to quit smoking-immediately. "

This phrase correctly uses a hyphen to connect the two parts of the sentence, indicating that the action of quitting smoking should be done immediately.

Examples:

The teacher asked the students to finish their assignments by tomorrow-morning.
She decided to leave the party-early.
He promised to call her-back.
The manager instructed the staff to clean the store-thoroughly.
The chef recommended trying the new dish-tonight.

Show examples from the web [+]

My doctor told me to quit smoking.
You told me to quit my job.
I went to see the doctor last month, he told me to quit smoking I'm getting old, can't bear with this any longer
You told me to quit, that I'd be able to find another job.
The doctor told me... I'm still here because of you.
The doctor told me your recovery is going very well.
The doctors told me to stay ahead of the pain.
The doctor told me to get another job.
The doctor told me to rest.
About 15 years ago the doctor told me my son had brain cancer.
The doctors told me I was schizophrenic.
I only know what the doctor told me.
The doctor told me... thatpatientssufferingfromthis was called Spanish flu.
The doctor told me give him half a Xanax.
The doctor told me not to push.
The doctor told me I should take the stairs easy.
The doctor told me that she's dead.
The doctor told me you're okay.
This is a pill the doctor told me to take.
The doctor told me he would die in three weeks.

Alternatives:

the doctor told me to quit smoking immediately.
the doctor told me to quit smoking right away.
the doctor told me to quit smoking at once.
the doctor told me to quit smoking without delay.
the doctor told me to quit smoking straight away.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"The doctor told me to quit smoking;immediately. "

This phrase correctly uses a semicolon to separate the instruction to quit smoking from the urgency of doing it immediately. The semicolon adds a pause and emphasis to the immediacy of the action.

Examples:

She asked him to pick up the groceries;quickly.
The boss told the team to finish the project;by Friday.
He reminded her to water the plants;every day.
The coach instructed the players to run the drills;without stopping.
The teacher advised the students to review the material;before the exam.

Show examples from the web [+]

My doctor told me to quit smoking.
I went to see the doctor last month, he told me to quit smoking I'm getting old, can't bear with this any longer
You guys have been on me to quit smoking the other ones.
That really has no connection with you helping me to quit smoking.
And no offense, Kate, but I can't see how any shrink could ever get me to quit smoking.
You want me to quit smoking for two weeks?
Okay, is this another way to get me to quit smoking?
He told me he wanted to quit smoking.
You told me to quit my job.
You told me to quit, that I'd be able to find another job.
The doctor told me... I'm still here because of you.
The doctor told me your recovery is going very well.
The doctors told me to stay ahead of the pain.
The doctor told me to get another job.
The doctor told me to rest.
About 15 years ago the doctor told me my son had brain cancer.
The doctors told me I was schizophrenic.
I only know what the doctor told me.
The doctor told me... thatpatientssufferingfromthis was called Spanish flu.
The doctor told me give him half a Xanax.

Alternatives:

the doctor told me to quit smoking immediately.
the doctor told me to quit smoking right away.
the doctor told me to quit smoking at once.
the doctor told me to quit smoking without delay.
the doctor told me to quit smoking straight away.

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The doctor told me to quit smoking-immediately. vs The doctor told me to quit smoking;immediately.

"The doctor told me to quit smoking-immediately. "

"The doctor told me to quit smoking;immediately. "

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