Colons ( : ) are used:  Before a list of words, phrases or clauses. In front of him were the following: mince pies, holly and other delicious delights. In this example the items in the list are separated by commas. Remember: you do not put a comma before the word and.

Are used in plays. Tom: Don’t forget to lock the door. Lisa: I won’t. Tom: And close all the windows.

Can be used before direct speech, instead of a comma. To my amazement, I heard Mary say: “I am never coming back.”

1.I think I have remembered everything, string, nails, plywood, hammer and pliers. 2. Remember the saying “A stitch in time saves nine.” 3. All my tools were stolen a hammer, saw, screwdriver and wire cutters. 4. I enjoy all subjects French, Spanish, English and Maths. 5. Roald Dahl wrote many books James and the Giant Peach, Esio Trot and The Twits. 6. I shall never forget his advice “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”

Colons and semi-colons are also used in a bulleted list. Equipment required for PE:  Shorts;  T-shirt;  Pumps. A full stop is used at the end because it is the end of the sentence.

A colon is also used in a glossary between a word and its definition. Connective: a word used to join two parts of a sentence. Adjective: a word which describes a noun.

Semi-colons, like commas and full stops, are a form of pause. They mark a breather within a sentence. The full stop is the strongest pause, whilst the comma is the weakest. The semi- colon comes in-between the two. If the items in the list are longer than one or two words separate them with a semi-colon. The attractions of the park included: a new roundabout; a short pony ride; a long slide and an ice-cream stall.

If the items in the list are longer than one or two words separate them with a semi-colon. KS1- At the circus we saw a clown, a lion, a fire eater and an eight year old acrobat. KS2 - At the circus we saw a clown juggling with swords and daggers; a lion who stood on a ball; a fire eater with flashing eyes; and an eight year old acrobat.

Semi-colons can be used to join clauses in a sentence. Sometimes they take the place of connectives. John liked jelly and Sam just loved ice cream. This sentence could be written: John liked jelly; Sam just loved ice cream. It was a dark night and the moon hid behind a cloud. It was a dark night; the moon hid behind a cloud.

1.The rabbit had been sadly neglected it was in an awful state. 2. John opened the drawer it was empty. 3. The wedding invitations have all been sent out two hundred guests are expected. 4. Tom was very clever and worked hard he deserved to pass all his Sats. 5. Sally’s birthday is in November John’s is in September.

Colons:  introduce a list;  link two clauses, when the second one gives more information about the first. Semi-colons:  separate longer items in a list;  link two clauses which are closely related.  Act as connectives between two clauses of equal weight.