Semicolons or Parentheses

Are either of the these sentences acceptable.

Normally, I might write something like this:

But I used "For example" previously in the same paragraph.
Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks a lot for taking a look!

As I'm re-reading my post I'm thinking it might be better to just have two sentences

 

Honestly if I were you I would go for the semicolon. The two sentences seem like they could certainly be along the same thought line. But, if you really want to break them up that's your right.

 

I agree. It feels a little disjointed when they are separate.

 

I think either way is fine, but I wanted to let you know that discrete is spelled "discreet" in the context you are using it. "discrete" means separate (simply) and doesn't make sense here. So while it's not technically misspelled, it is the wrong word.

 

Thank you, I didn't realize that.

 

The semicolon is the grammatically correct way, but the parenthesis would also work out for you.

 

Semicolon for sure. I avoid parenthetical references like the plague. If I have a side thought in narrative or dialogue which interrupts a line I simply use use dashes.

"It was an awuful situation--not that he should care anyway--but deep down he relished the suffering."

 

A colon is a better fit here. The use of the semi is certainly not wholly beyond the pale though.

 

You're welcome

 

You can always use conjuctions to link ideas and sentences:

There are countless ways to stave off boredom, but they should be discreet, since no instructor will be happy to see you casually flipping through a newspaper, for example, during class.

 

Use two sentences. This is what a paragraph is for. The first sentence sets the theme of the paragraph, and the second and subsequent sentences support it.

Semicolons are overused. You could use the first example, grammatically, but there really is no compelling reason to jam all that into one sentence.

The second example, with the second sentence enclosed in parentheses, is just wrong.