1. Punctuation

2. Semicolon
Can be used to separate the two parts of a compound sentence.
Examples:
Please open the window; it is hot in here.
Southerners migrated to the North; they often took the train.

3. Semicolon Separate items in a series when commas are already in use.
Examples:
We are thinking about moving to Omaha, Nebraska; Gainesville, Florida; or Memphis, Tennessee.
The soccer team included Adam Hoyt, sophomore; Mathew Thomas, senior; and Joshua John, junior.

4. Colon
Is used after the salutation in a business letter to separate the hours and minutes in expressions of time.
Examples:
Dear Mrs. Smith:
10:30 P.M.

5. Colon Introduces a list and sets off a speaker’s name in a play.
Examples:
I did the following chores: wax the car, clean my room, and sweep the porch.
Sandi: Hello there!

6. Dash Sets of information that interrupts the flow of a sentence.
Examples:
Southerners—they included my relatives—suffered in the winter weather.
You are the friend—the only friend—who offered to help me.
Never have I met such a lovely person—before you.
I pay the bills—she has all the fun.

7. Hyphen Is used in certain compound words. Examples: merry-go-round
well-being
check-in
child-care
hand-picked
high-tech
life-size
mind-blowing
Mother-in-law

8. Hyphen Used in compound adjectives before nouns. Examples:
well-respected
friendly-looking man
well-known
brown-eyed

9. Parenthesis Sets off additional information that is not essential.
Examples:
The documentary will air on television next month. (Check your local listings)
At that point, you may want to consult with a professional. (Refer to the Resources chapter for a list of tax advisers.)

10. Parenthesis
Parenthesis also enclose numbers or letters within a sentence.
Examples:
I expect five hundred dollars ($500).
We need an emergency room doctor who can (1) think quickly, (2) treat patients respectfully, and (3) handle complaints from the public.
She made a list of things to buy: (A) toothbrush, (B) clothes, (C) books.

11. Let’s Practice!