Colons & Semi- colons : ; Easier than you think!

COLONS : Lists Use a colon to introduce a list, especially after a statement that uses such words as these, the following, or as follows. Example My grandparents’ garden contains the following flowers: roses, sunflowers, tulips, and marigolds.

COLONS: Illustrations and restatements Use a colon to introduce material that illustrates, explains, or restates the preceding material. Example American presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson have something in common: They both died on July 4, 1826.

COLONS: Colons before quotations Use a colon to introduce a long or formal quotation. A formal quotation is often preceded by such words as these, the following, or as follows. Example Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice opens with the following comment: It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.

COLONS: Other random uses Use a colon between the hour and the minute in writing the time between the chapter and verse in biblical references, after the salutation in a business letter. Examples 7:05 am Proverbs 12:2 4:30 pm Dear Sir or Madam: Genesis 5:23 Dear Professor Rodgers:

Semi-colons – The easiest of them all! Only 2 uses! To join two independent clauses To separate items in a series that already have commas

Joining two independents Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses that are not joined by FANBOYS Example Chester Oldenburg designs sculptures and monuments of familiar objects; his sculpture Hamburger with Pickle and Tomato is one of his best-known works.

HINT- Basically, a semi-colon is similar to a period. You use it when you have two sentences that you want to be read as one longer sentence. It’s a style choice you make as a writer!

With conjunctive adverbs (sound tough, but is really easy!) Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses joined by conjunctive adverbs however, therefore, nevertheless, moreover, furthermore, and consequently or adverbial expressions for example, that is, and in fact Example Oldenburg once designed a giant pair of scissors as a monument; moreover, he has made sculptures of electric fans and vacuum cleaners.

When there’s already tons of commas Use a semicolon to separate the items in a series when these items contain commas. Example Three contemporary writers who have helped capture the black American experience are Nikki Giovanni, a poet; Margaret Walker, a novelist; and Lorraine Hansberry, a playwright. I’ve lived in Oak Forest, Illinois; Champaign, Illinois; and Chicago, Illinois.

Use a semicolon to separate two main clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction when the clauses already contain several commas. Example Langston Hughes, perhaps the most famous figure of the Harlem Renaissance, wrote poetry, fiction, music, and drama; but he is also remembered as an important patron of the arts, a man who helped to nurture the careers of many other artists.

Cheat sheet: colons introduce lists, quotes, and other information Semi-colons function as a period, or as a “super comma” separating other commas :;:;