Semicolons and Colons By Ellyn Ball and Lilly Jenkins

Semicolon

• The semicolon looks like a period over a comma (;). The semicolon signals a less final pause than a period but a stronger separation than a comma.

• Semicolons are used to join complete ideas within sentences and to avoid confusion in sentences already containing several commas.

• The following rule governs the use of semicolons with independent clauses:

• Use a semicolon to join independent clauses that are NOT already joined by the conjunctions and, but, for, not, or, so or yet.

Using Semicolons to Join Independent Clauses

• Clauses with Comma:

• The Wright brothers read books about flying, and they dreamed of building a flying machine.

• Their first flight lasted just 12 seconds, for the plane traveled only 120 feet.

• Clauses with Semicolon:

• The Wright brothers read books about flying; they dreamed of building a flying machine.

• Their first flight lasted just 12 seconds; the plane traveled only 120 feet.

Using Semicolons to Join Independent Clauses

• A semicolon should be used only when there is a close relationship between the two independent clauses. If the clauses are not very closely related, they should be written as separate sentences with a period or other end mark to separate them.

• Incorrect: The Wright brothers’ first flight lasted just 12 seconds; the plane had a 40-foot wing span.

• Correct: The Wright brothers’ first flight lasted just 12 seconds. The plane had a 40-foot wing span.

Using Semicolons to Avoid Confusion

• Sometimes, to avoid confusion, semicolons are used to separate items in a series.

• Consider the use of semicolons to avoid confusion when items in a series already contain commas.

• When the items in a series already contain several commas, semicolons can be used to make a sentence easier to read. Semicolons are placed at the end of all but the last complete items in a series.

• Example: The fans, cheering loudly; the band, playing a rousting march; and the cheerleaders, turning cartwheels, helped inspire the team to play well.

Colons

• Colons can be used to introduce list of items and in certain other special situations. The colon looks like two periods, one above the other (: )

• Use a colon before a list of items following an independent clause.

• Example:

• Sander's model airplane collection included may different items: a piper Cub, a P-51 Mustang, a Heinkel Salamander, and a Spitfire.

Colons

• Notice that a colon should never should never be used directly after a verb or preposition.

• Example:

• Incorrect: The magazine included: an article on model planes, a column about radio controls, and a ballooning poster.

• Correct: Some features in the magazine were the following: an article on model planes, a column on radio controls, and a poster on ballooning.

Using Colons in Special Situations

• Using a colon in a number of special writing situations to show time with numerals, to end salutations in business letters, and to signal important ideas.

Special uses of the Colon

Numbers Giving the Time 12:25 P.M.

Salutations in Business Letters Gentlemen: Dear Ms. Brown

Labels Used to Signal Important Ideas Caution: High Voltage Warning: Trespassers will be prosecuted.

Quick Check

• Rally Coach (use selector tool pg. 6.32)

• Add in semicolons or colons in the appropriate spots.

• The first astronauts faced uncertainties however, the flights were completed successfully.

• The plane will arrive at 630 P.M.

• To whom it may concern

• America plans to send a man into space required careful planning therefore, the process took several years.

• Precautions were taken in case of a failure for example, an ejection seat was designed.

• Warning Earplugs Required in Hangers

You Do

On the left side of your interactive notebook, list one of each kind of semicolon and colon learned today (do not use any examples given today). Make sure to illustrate and color code.