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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 • 4190 views

The doctor told me to quit smoking-immediately.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

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.
  • 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.

The doctor told me to quit smoking;immediately.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

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.
  • 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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