Punctuation: Semi-Colons and Colons

Semi-Colons: Their most important role  Link two independent clauses The evidence was convincing; nevertheless, the jury found him innocent. The evidence was convincing; nevertheless, the jury found him innocent.  In this use, semi-colon may always be replaced by a period. Use this test!

Semi-colons...  Join independent clauses that either do not have a conjoining word or do have a conjunctive adverb (transitional word). Without a conjoining word: Without a conjoining word: The evidence was convincing; the jury found him innocent.The evidence was convincing; the jury found him innocent. Use this form only when the conceptual link is strong enough between the two independent clauses that you need no linking word.Use this form only when the conceptual link is strong enough between the two independent clauses that you need no linking word. With a conjunctive adverb: With a conjunctive adverb: The evidence was convincing; nevertheless, the jury found him innocent.The evidence was convincing; nevertheless, the jury found him innocent.

That’s two independent clauses...  Semi-colon comes before the conjunctive adverb. Comma comes after the adverb. Examples of these adverbs: finally, however, moreover, similarly, therefore, thus, nevertheless Examples of these adverbs: finally, however, moreover, similarly, therefore, thus, nevertheless incorrect: The manager was late to the meeting, however the assistant was on time.incorrect: The manager was late to the meeting, however the assistant was on time. correct: The manager was late to the meeting; however, the assistant was on time.correct: The manager was late to the meeting; however, the assistant was on time.

Conjunctive adverbs are not the same as subordinating adverbs!  Subordinating words link parts of a sentence together by subordinating one of the clauses (or turning it into a dependent clause): Examples: after, although, because, since, when, while incorrect: The manager was late to the meeting. Because the plane was late.incorrect: The manager was late to the meeting. Because the plane was late. correct: The manager was late to the meeting because the plane was late.correct: The manager was late to the meeting because the plane was late.

This is a comma splice.  The doctor prescribed a different medication, however it’s not helping.  How do we correct it? ;

Semi-colons also...  Separate elements that contain interior commas or some visual complexity (e.g., formulae): I bought celery, carrots, and beans; fish, chicken, and beef; and rice and potatoes. I bought celery, carrots, and beans; fish, chicken, and beef; and rice and potatoes.

Colons: one main role  Colons introduce lists: Item a Item a Item b Item b  Colons can also link two main clauses if the second restates, defines, or illustrates the first: No one was surprised by her promotion: she was by far the best candidate. No one was surprised by her promotion: she was by far the best candidate.

Use a complete sentence to introduce a list.  Do not use a colon between a verb or preposition and its object: Wrong:The criteria were: cost, quality, and service. Wrong:The criteria were: cost, quality, and service. Right:We used the following criteria: cost, quality, and service. Right:We used the following criteria: cost, quality, and service.

Punctuate these. 1. Before the close of business please order the following two boxes of staples a desk blotter and a ream of copier paper. 2. We can consider competing for that project but we already have too much work. 3. No one was surprised by her promotion she was by far the best candidate. 4. Cash flow is our most pressing problem consequently Mr. Edwards will make it the focus of his speech.