Colons and Semicolons

Colons  Use a colon to mean “note what follows.”  Use a colon before a list of items, especially after expressions like the following and as follows. Example: You will need to bring the following equipment: a sleeping bag, a warm sweater, and extra socks. Example: You will need to bring the following equipment: a sleeping bag, a warm sweater, and extra socks. Additional supplies are as follows: a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a pillow. Additional supplies are as follows: a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a pillow.

 Use a colon before a long, formal statement or a long quotation. Ex. Horace Mann had this to say: “Do not think of knocking out another person’s brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to know yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago.” Ex. Horace Mann had this to say: “Do not think of knocking out another person’s brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to know yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago.”

 Use a colon between independent clauses when the second explains or restates the first. Ex. Thomas Jefferson had many talents: He was a writer, a politician, and an inventor. Ex. Thomas Jefferson had many talents: He was a writer, a politician, and an inventor.

 Use a colon between the hour and the minute – 10:30 A.M.  Use a colon between the chapter and the verse in Biblical references and between titles and subtitles – Exodus 1:6-9 and Whales: Giants of the Sea  Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter – Dear Sir or Madam:

Correct by adding Colons 1. Last summer I read “Choices A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” by Alice Walker. 2. Mrs. Hughes named the three students who had completed extra projects Marshall, Helena, and Terry. 3. Learn to spell the following new words aneurysm, fluoroscope, and serendipity. 4. The test will include the punctuation marks we have learned so far commas, semicolons, and colons.

Check your work. 1. Last summer I read “Choices: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” by Alice Walker. 2. Mrs. Hughes named the three students who had completed extra projects: Marshall, Helena, and Terry. 3. Learn to spell the following new words: aneurysm, fluoroscope, and serendipity. 4. The test will include the punctuation marks we have learned so far: commas, semicolons, and colons.

Semicolons  Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are closely related in meaning if they are not joined by and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet. Patty likes to act. Her sister gets stage fright. OR Patty likes to act, but her sister gets stage fright. OR Patty likes to act, but her sister gets stage fright. OR Patty likes to act; her sister gets stage fright.

 Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression. Emma felt shy; however, she soon made some new friends. Emma felt shy; however, she soon made some new friends. My bird does unusual tricks; for example, he rings a bell and says “Wow.” My bird does unusual tricks; for example, he rings a bell and says “Wow.”

 Conjunctive Adverbs: Accordingly Accordingly Also Also Besides Besides Consequently Consequently Furthermore Furthermore However However Indeed Indeed Instead Instead Meanwhile Meanwhile Moreover Moreover Nevertheless Nevertheless Next Next Otherwise Otherwise Still Still Then Then therefore therefore  Transitional Expressions As a result As a result For example For example For instance For instance In addition In addition In fact In fact That is That is On the other hand On the other hand In other words In other words

 A semicolon (rather than a comma) may be needed to separate independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction when the clauses contain commas. Confusing: Alana, Eric and Kim voted for her, and Scott, Tom, and Carrie voted for Jason. Clear: Alana, Eric, and Kim voted for her; and Scott, Tom, and Carrie voted for Jason.

 Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas. Example: Example: I would like to introduce Mrs. Boyce, our mayor; Mr. Bell, her secretary; Ms. Lincoln, editor of our newspaper; and Mr. Quinn, our guest of honor. I would like to introduce Mrs. Boyce, our mayor; Mr. Bell, her secretary; Ms. Lincoln, editor of our newspaper; and Mr. Quinn, our guest of honor.

Let’s try… Very informative whale information, too! Let’s try… Very informative whale information, too! 1. Whales, which are warm-blooded marine mammals, are divided into two main families these families are the toothed whales and the toothless whales. 2. Whales take very full, deep breaths consequently they can dive almost a mile below the surface of the ocean and remain underwater for more than an hour at a time. 3. Some whale species exhibit remarkable social behavior for example, members of a group may stay with a wounded animal or even support it in the water.

Check… 1. Whales, which are warm-blooded marine mammals, are divided into two main families; these families are the toothed whales and the toothless whales. 2. Whales take very full, deep breaths; consequently, they can dive almost a mile below the surface of the ocean and remain underwater for more than an hour at a time. 3. Some whale species exhibit remarkable social behavior; for example, members of a group may stay with a wounded animal or even support it in the water.