Semicolons & Colons By Mamie Webb Hixon UWF Writing Lab Director 1

Put in sentence form. He can never find his textbooks his calculator and his homework. He can never find his textbooks, his calculator, and his homework. 2

Combine into one sentence, supplying appropriate punctuation. Stu Dent has three endearing qualities honesty integrity and intelligence. Stu Dent has three endearing qualities: honesty, integrity, and intelligence. 3

Put in sentence form and supply the correct punctuation. The three movies recommended by the school superintendent are Dangerous Minds Up the Down Staircase and Mr. Holland’s Opus. The three movies recommended by the school superintendent are Dangerous Minds, Up the Down Staircase, and Mr. Holland’s Opus. 4

Put in sentence form and supply the correct punctuation. The results of the SGA election were surprising the freshman won by a landslide. The results of the SGA election were surprising: the freshman won by a landslide. 5

Put in sentence form and supply the correct punctuation. Stu Dent is afraid to talk to people even to ask the time of the day. Stu Dent is afraid to talk to people, even to ask the time of the day. Do not use a semicolon to separate a phrase and an independent clause. 6

Put in sentence form and supply the correct punctuation. Three things happened in rapid succession Brian tripped over a chair Shante’s book fell on the floor and Ahn had a temper tantrum. Three things happened in rapid succession: Brian tripped over a chair; Shante’s books fell on the floor; and Ahn had a temper tantrum. USE A COLON To introduce a horizontal or vertical list if information preceding colon is a complete sentence USE A SEMICOLON To separate individual items listed horizontally, if each is a sentence. 7

Combine into one sentence, supplying appropriate punctuation. Please bring the following a water bottle a sleeping bag and a flashlight. Please bring the following: water bottle, sleeping bag, and flashlight. Introduce a list. The colon tells the reader to look ahead and directs his attention to what follows. 8

Put in sentence form and supply the correct punctuation. The art exhibit contained works by local artists such as Jonathan Green Charley Harris and Tim Jones. The art exhibit contained works by local artists such as Jonathan Green, Charley Harris, and Tim Jones. 9

Put in sentence form and supply appropriate punctuation. Three new courses are being offered Art of Greece, Rome, and Africa The Ottoman Empire in the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Centuries and Political Theory of the Afghans. Three new courses are being offered: Art of Greece, Rome, and Africa; The Ottoman Empire in the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Centuries; and Political Theory of the Afghans. 10

Put in sentence form and supply the correct punctuation. Parents should contact one of the following teachers Mrs. Baldwin, music teacher Ms. Johnson, dance teacher and Mr. Hewett, English teacher. Parents should contact one of the following teachers: Mrs. Baldwin, music teacher; Ms. Johnson, dance teacher; and Mr. Hewett, English teacher. 11

Combine using but. The parent has a challenging job, a decent income, and good prospects for the future she does not discipline her children. The parent has a challenging job, a decent income, and good prospects for the future; but she does not discipline her children. Two independent clauses with internal commas. 12

Combine using but. Then combine using however. It is true that students and faculty must pay a penalty for overdue books there is a grace period. 1.It is true the students and faculty must pay a penalty for overdue books, but there is a grace period. 2.It is true that students and faculty must pay a penalty for overdue books; however, there is a grace period. 13

Combine using however. Most of the school board members did not want to close the two schools they had no choice. Most of the school board members did not want to close the two schools; however, they had no choice. -To separate two independent clauses connected by a conjunctive adverb. -The conjunctive adverb is usually followed by comma. 14

Put in sentence form and supply the correct punctuation. The principal quoted a famous African proverb “when you fall, don’t look where you fell; look where you stumbled.” The principal quoted a famous African proverb: “When you fall, don’t look where you fell; look where you stumbled.” To separate the introductory words from a quotation which follows, if the quotation is formal, long, or paragraphed separately. 15