Colons and Semicolons

State Standard Ninth and Tenth Grade Reading and Language Arts Standards for Written and Oral Language Conventions 1.1 Identify and correctly use...mechanics of punctuation (e.g., semicolons, colons, ellipses, hyphens).

Colons Rule 1: Use a colon to mean “note what follows.”

Colons Rule 1: Use a colon to mean “note what follows.” a) Use a colon before a list of items, especially after expressions such as the following or as follows.

Colons Rule 1: Use a colon to mean “note what follows.” a)Use a colon before a list of items, especially after expressions such as the following or as follows. Example— In Washington, D.C., we visited four important national sites: the White House, the Washington Monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial.

Colons Rule 1: Use a colon to mean “note what follows.” b) Use a colon before a long formal statement or quotation.

Colons b) Use a colon before a long formal statement or quotation. Example – Thomas Paine’s first pamphlet in the series The American Crisis starts with these famous words: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country;…”

Colons Rule 2: Use a colon before a statement that explains or clarifies the preceding statement.

Colons Rule 2: Use a colon before a statement that explains or clarifies the preceding statement. Example – He deserves a raise: He completed the project on schedule and under budget.

Colons Rule 2: Use a colon before a statement that explains or clarifies the preceding statement. Example – He deserves a raise: He completed the project on schedule and under budget. [Note that when an independent clause follows a colon, the clause begins with a capital letter.]

Colons Rule 3: Use a colon in certain convention situations.

Colons Rule 3: Use a colon in certain convention situations. a) Use a colon between the hour and minute in a time notation.

Colons Rule 3: Use a colon in certain convention situations. a)Use a colon between the hour and minute in a time notation. Example – School finishes at 3:15.

Colons Rule 3: Use a colon in certain convention situations. b) Use a colon between chapter and verse in Biblical references.

Colons Rule 3: Use a colon in certain convention situations. b) Use a colon between chapter and verse in Biblical references. Example – This morning I read Exodus 17:19.

Colons Rule 3: Use a colon in certain convention situations. c) Use a colon between a title and a subtitle.

Colons Rule 3: Use a colon in certain convention situations. c) Use a colon between a title and a subtitle. Example – Slaughter House Five: The Children’s Crusade [book by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.]

Colons Rule 3: Use a colon in certain convention situations. d) Use a colon after a salutation in a business letter.

Colons Rule 3: Use a colon in certain convention situations. d) Use a colon after a salutation in a business letter. Example – Dear Sir or Madam:

Semicolons Rule 1: Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related.

Semicolons Rule 1: Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related. Remember, an independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as sentence.

Semicolons Rule 1: Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related. Example: Tim went to buy tickets for the game; he stood in line for several hours.

Semicolons Rule 2: Use a semicolon before conjunctive adverbs such as however, therefore, thus, or nevertheless when they are joining independent clauses. Usually a comma goes after the conjunctive adverb.

Semicolons Rule 2: Use a semicolon before conjunctive adverbs such as however, therefore, thus, or nevertheless when they are joining independent clauses. Usually a comma goes after the conjunctive adverb. Example: I like French fries; however, they are not on my diet.

Semicolons Rule 3: Use a semicolon before a transition expressions such as for example, in other words, in conclusion or in fact when they are joining two independent clauses. Usually a comma follows the transitional expression.

Semicolons Rule 3: Use a semicolon before a transition expressions such as for example, in other words, in conclusion or in fact when they are joining two independent clauses. Usually a comma follows the transitional expression. Example: The artists find inspiration for their creations in everyday life; for example, religion and nature are rich sources of ideas.

Semicolons Rule 4: Use semicolons between items in a series if the items contain commas.

Semicolons Rule 4: Use semicolons between items in a series if the items contain commas. Example – You may turn in your books reports on Thursday, September 14 th ; Friday, September 15 th ; or Monday, September 18 th.