Colons and Semi-colons (Posh punctuation!)

Colons and semi-colons, like commas and full stops, mark the places where you would break or pause when speaking. You can get away without using them, but they can come in useful and it is worth knowing where you can use them. STRONGEST WEAKEST. :;,

COLONS : These nearly always introduce or lead into something that is to follow. Eg: before someone speaks or before a quote. They must always come after a completely independent clause though. He said something very strange: “I’ll eat my hat!” Remember this wise saying: “a stitch in time saves nine.”

COLONS : A colon is used to break a sentence when the second half of the sentence explains, expands or summarizes what comes in the first half. Eventually, he told his secret: the old beggar was, in fact, a very rich man.

COLONS : Colons are also used to introduce lists. Some people use a dash after the colon but this is not right! To make this pudding, you will need the following ingredients: three ripe bananas, a pint of fresh cream, a small glass of brandy and some cherries for decoration.

COLONS : Watch out for these phrases. All of them are quite often followed by a colon. for example: in other words: to sum up: the following: as follows:

Add a colon to the following sentences: I love presents, decorations and mince pies everything about Christmas! I love presents, decorations and mince pies everything about Christmas! Don’t forget the password bagpuss. Don’t forget the password bagpuss. I need to complete these homework tasks this weekend Maths, English, French and History. I need to complete these homework tasks this weekend Maths, English, French and History.

Note that the following are all independent clauses: He said something very strange: He said something very strange: Remember this wise saying: Remember this wise saying: Eventually, he told his secret: Eventually, he told his secret: To make the pudding, you will need the following ingredients: To make the pudding, you will need the following ingredients: I love presents, decorations and mince pies: I love presents, decorations and mince pies: Don’t forget the password: Don’t forget the password: I need to complete these homework tasks this weekend: I need to complete these homework tasks this weekend:

SEMI-COLONS ; A semi-colon can sometimes be used to replace a full stop. It links two complete sentences and turns them into one sentence. This only works when the two sentences are closely linked in meaning and of equal importance. The door swung open; a masked figure strode in.

SEMI-COLONS ; Semi-colons are often used before complex connectives like ‘therefore’, ‘nevertheless’, ‘however’, ‘moreover’, ‘consequently’, ‘otherwise’ and ‘besides’, when these words link two independent clauses. He never took any exercise; consequently, he became very fat.

SEMI-COLONS ; Semi-colons can be used to break up lists, especially when each item on the list is rather long (possibly needing commas too). Using commas to separate the items as well would be confusing. I love Christmas because it is a time to see friends and family, particularly those we don’t catch up with very often, an opportunity to eat really lovely, unhealthy food such as mince pies, nuts and chocolate, and to drink too much wine, a day of exciting presents and surprises, and a generally happy time of year! Unlike commas in a list, you can use a semi-colon before ‘and’ to introduce the last item. Unlike commas in a list, you can use a semi-colon before ‘and’ to introduce the last item.

SEMI-COLONS ; I went shopping and I bought some chocolate chip ice-cream, which is almost my favourite, some stationery including pens, pencils, rubbers and sharpeners, some clothes including shirts, jackets and jumpers, and a bag!

Colon or semi-colon? Sometimes it’s tricky to decide which one to use. If the first part of the sentence leads you forward to the info. in the second part, use a colon. If the first part of the sentence leads you forward to the info. in the second part, use a colon. If the two parts of the sentence seem to be equally balanced, use a semi-colon. If the two parts of the sentence seem to be equally balanced, use a semi-colon. Florence was very keen on swimming her sister preferred cycling. The boy was like his father short and fat.

‘Do’s and ‘Don’t’s Do use a colon: Do use a colon: –before a list –to introduce an explanation, expansion or summary of the first part of the sentence Do use a semi-colon: Do use a semi-colon: –to join two closely linked sentences –to break up lists with lengthy items. Do not use a capital letter after a colon or a semi-colon. Do not use a capital letter after a colon or a semi-colon.