Using Semicolons and Colons

Reasons for Using Semicolons

1. Join independent clauses with or without conjunctive adverbs

Examples I think; therefore, I am. I studied hard for this test; I hope it’s

fair.2. With items in a series that contain

commasExamples We watched Frozen, a Disney movie;

Big Bang, a comedy show; and Duck Dynasty, a reality series.

;

;

Reason for Using Colons1. Introduce a list**Warning—make sure there is a complete

statement BEFORE the colon There are many distractions: Facebook,

Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

2. Present a lengthy quotation Nicholas Carr explains his dilemma

with technology: “Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a jet ski” (7).

:

Other Reasons for Colons

1. With a precise time School starts at 7:50 and ends at 3:03

today.2. In Biblical references The valedictorian quoted Proverbs

31:25 in her graduation speech.3. After the salutation of a business letter Joe started his application letter with

“Dear sir or madam:” but forgot to write the address above the salutation.

:

Lizards can be found in many locations, including the Outback, a region of Australia, the Galapagos, a group of islands off South America, and Indonesia, a country in Southeast Asia.

Lizards can be found in many locations, including the Outback, a region of Australia; the

Galapagos, a group of islands off South America; and

Indonesia, a country in Southeast Asia.

Scientists tell us an important fact that lizards cannot survive the cold.

Correct-- Scientists tell us an important

fact that lizards cannot survive the cold. OR

Scientists tell us an important fact: lizards cannot survive the cold.

The Komodo dragon of Indonesia is huge, it can be as long as ten feet.

The Komodo dragon of Indonesia is huge;

it can be as long as ten feet.

Josh’s reaction to this fact was funny “I won’t vacation in Indonesia.”

Josh’s reaction to this fact was funny:

“I won’t vacation in Indonesia.”

The concert in the park starts at 730 P.M. the fireworks follow at 830.

The concert in the park starts at 7:30 P.M. ;

the fireworks follow at 8:30.

On my application, I listed three references Mr. Ed Talmudge, the youth pastor, Ms. Sheri Platt, my swim coach, and Mr. Tom Perry, my neighbor.

On my application, I listed three references:

Mr. Ed Talmudge, the youth pastor; Ms. Sheri Platt,

my swim coach; and Mr. Tom Perry,

my neighbor.

Marty’s list of places to visit in New York City included Ellis Island, the Museum of Modern Art, the Empire State Building, and Ground Zero.

Alan began his letter with “Dear Sir or Madam” because he did not know if the manager of the company was a man or a woman.

Alan began his letter with “Dear Sir or Madam:”

because he did not know if the manager of the company was a man or a woman.

The sermon was based on a quotation from Job 3 11, however, the preacher also referred to the books of Daniel and Ezekiel.

The sermon was based on a quotation from Job 3:11;

however, the preacher also referred to the books of Daniel and Ezekiel.

The troops were badly outnumbered therefore, they retreated into the forest before nightfall.

The troops were badly outnumbered;

therefore, they retreated into the forest before nightfall.