Semicolons and Colons UWF Writing Lab Grammar Skills Series #2 From Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon PowerPoint Created by Olivia Hawkins Last Updated Spring 2017

RIGHT OR WRONG? My favorite foods are: fettuccine alfredo pasta, ice cream, and miso soup. Most of us wanted to attend the play; and go out for dinner. A tomato is not a vegetable; it is a fruit.

How to Use a Semicolon

Use a semicolon between two independent clauses Please close the windows; the room is too cold. Tip: independent clause is “grammar-speak” for complete sentence. What makes a complete sentence? Subject Verb Complete Thought

Use a semicolon between two independent clauses connected by a conjunctive adverb He took great care with his work; therefore, he was very successful.

Use a semicolon to separate items in a series when each item contains internal punctuation I bought an old, dilapidated chair; a marble top table, which was in beautiful condition; and a gold rug. We are thinking about moving to Omaha, Nebraska; Gainesville, Florida; or Memphis, Tennessee.

(coordinating conjunctions) Use a semicolon between two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if either or both of the clauses contains other internal punctuation Success in college, some maintain, requires intelligence, industry, and perseverance; but others maintain that only personality is important. FANBOYS (coordinating conjunctions) For And Nor But Or Yet So

; ;

How to Use a Colon

Use a colon between an independent clause and a list or explanation The company will present three plays by William Shakespeare this summer: Hamlet, Othello, and Macbeth. There is only one thing left to do now: confess while you still have time. I hate this one course: English.

Do not place a colon after a linking verb or a preposition The high school I attended was: old, centrally located, and small. The high school I attended was old, centrally located, and small. In college algebra, students learn about: polynomials, complex numbers, and linear inequalities. In college algebra, students learn about polynomials, complex numbers, and linear inequalities. Tip Insert the following to make a complete sentence: “In college algebra, students learn about the following: polynomials, complex numbers, and linear inequalities.”

Do not place a colon before the words namely, for example, that is, or for instance even if these words introduce a list We agreed to the plan: namely, to give him a surprise party. We agreed to the plan, namely, to give him a surprise party. Tip A colon means the same thing as these words. If you are unsure whether to use a colon, substitute the word namely and see if your sentence makes sense. If these words introduce a complete sentence, use a semicolon; if they introduce a phrase, use a comma or a dash.

Remember, you still need a full sentence before your colon! Use a colon to separate introductory words from a quotation that follows The acting director often used her favorite quotation from Shakespeare’s The Tempest: “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.” Use this technique if the quote is long, formal, or paragraphed separately Remember, you still need a full sentence before your colon!

RIGHT OR WRONG? My favorite foods are: fettuccine alfredo pasta, ice cream, and miso soup. Most of us wanted to attend the play; and go out for dinner. A tomato is not a vegetable; it is a fruit.