when to use a colon or semicolon

What is the difference between Semicolon and Colon?

• Semicolon is often used instead of the full stop in cases where sentences are grammatically full and independent.
• The sentences separated by a semicolon should have a close connection.
• Colon, on the other hand, is often used before explanations or reasons.
• Sometimes we use a colon before a list .

Full Answer

What is the difference between a colon and a semicolon?

What is the difference between Semicolon and Colon?

• Semicolon is often used instead of the full stop in cases where sentences are grammatically full and independent.
• The sentences separated by a semicolon should have a close connection.
• Colon, on the other hand, is often used before explanations or reasons.
• Sometimes we use a colon before a list .

What is the correct way to use a semicolon?

Things to Remember When Using a Semicolon:

• Like a comma or period, there’s no space between the semicolon and the word preceding it. ...
• The first word following a semicolon is always lowercase (except for proper nouns).
• Use semicolons sparingly! Too many semicolons usually means that your narrative needs some revision.

When to use a semicolon the right way?

Semicolon: The 2 Ways to Use a ;

• Semicolon Definition: What Is a ; (Also Known as the Super Comma) A punctuation mark that is stronger than a comma, used either to separate two independent clauses or to ...
• The 2 Times You Can Use Semicolons Correctly. ...
• 2 Essential Rules for Using Semicolons. ...
• Put the Semicolon to Use With a Creative Writing Exercise. ...

When are semicolons correctly and effectively used?

What Makes Semicolon so Effective when Used Correctly? The semicolon provides a nice, clean feel. Because it’s used when you have two sentences that complement each other so well, additional connecting words are simply not necessary.

How do you know when to use a colon or semicolon?

Colons and semicolons are two types of punctuation. Colons (:) are used in sentences to show that something is following, like a quotation, example, or list. Semicolons (;) are used to join two independent clauses, or two complete thoughts that could stand alone as complete sentences.

When should a colon be used examples?

A colon can be used to connect two independent sentences. Typically, a colon is used when the second sentence clarifies or explains the first sentence. For example, Me and my sisters are really excited: We're going to Disneyland!

When should semicolons be used in a sentence?

Use a semicolon to replace a period between related sentences when the second sentence starts with either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression, such as for example, for instance, that is, besides, accordingly, furthermore, otherwise, however, thus, therefore.

What are the two rules for using a colon?

5 Rules of Colon UsageWhat Is a Colon? ... Rule 1: Use a Colon to Introduce an Item or List. ... Rule 2: Use Colons Between Two Sentences. ... Rule 3: Use a Colon to Introduce a Bulleted or Numbered List. ... Rule 4: Use a Colon to Introduce Extended Quotations. ... Rule 5: Use a Colon Following a Greeting. ... How To Use a Colon Correctly.

What is a semicolon example?

A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark that has two main functions: Semicolons separate items in a complex list. For example, The Council is comprised of ten members: three from Sydney, Australia; four from Auckland, New Zealand; two from Suva, Fiji; and one from Honiara, Solomon Islands.

What are some examples of semicolons?

Examples of Semicolons: Joan likes eggs; Jennifer does not. The cat slept through the storm; the dog cowered under the bed. Semicolons are also used in a sentence when something stronger than a comma is needed.

When should you use a semicolon instead of a comma?

The semicolon is used when connecting two sentences or independent clauses. Unlike the comma, you do not use coordinating conjunctions, e.g., and, or, but, etc. A semicolon can also be used when connecting two independent clauses with conjunctive adverbs, e.g., however, therefore, thus, otherwise, etc.

Which sentence does not use a colon correctly?

Do not use a colon in a complete sentence after phrases such as "such as," "including," and "for example." Because phrases like these already indicate to the reader that a list of examples will follow, there is no need to introduce them with a colon, which would merely be redundant.

What are the three rules for using a colon?

The hard and fast rule is that a colon must ALWAYS follow a complete sentence. Do not use a colon after a sentence fragment, ever. A colon is used after a full sentence or independent clause to introduce something that illustrates, clarifies, or amplifies what was said in the sentence that preceded the colon.

Do you need a colon before a list?

Something is clearly missing. This means that no colon is needed and it would be incorrect to use one before the list. So if you have a list, remember you only use a colon before it if the list follows a clause that could be used on its own.

What is a semicolon?

Semicolon. A semicolon has two general uses: to clarify a series and to indicate two closely related sentences. Series —If one or more elements in a series contain a comma, use semicolons to separate them. Include a semicolon before the final conjunction.

What is the colon in a sentence?

Colon. A colon is used to give emphasis, present dialogue, introduce lists or text, and clarify composition titles. Emphasis —Capitalize the first word after the colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. (She had one love: Western Michigan University.)

What punctuation marks are used incorrectly?

Punctuation: Colon and Semicolon. The colon ( : ) and semicolon ( ; ) are frequently used incorrectly in place of each other. The two punctuation marks serve very different purposes, and should not be used interchangeably.

When to use semicolon?

A semicolon should be used only when the independent clauses are so closely related, they seem to belong in one sentence. A semicolon should only be used if both clauses have a subject and a verb ; that is, the clause on each side of the semicolon can stand alone as a sentence.

What is a semicolon?

Semicolons are end stop punctuation marks: they are used to mark the end of a sentence. Semicolons are primarily used instead of a period to separate two closely related independent clauses (word groups which can stand as sentence).

What is an example of a sentence with two independent clauses?

Here is an example of a sentence with two independent clauses where the second clause begins with an introductory word or words. Blue jeans have become fashionable all over the world; however, the American originators still wear more jeans than anyone else. Note that in this sentence the word however begins a new sentence.

When do you use a comma after a series?

Remember that when there are more than two items in a series, there must be a comma after each item except the last item. The requirement to use semicolons when there is a comma in one or more of those items clarifies and separates the items.

What are some examples of colons?

Here are examples of sentences using a colon: All humans have one need in common: food. There are many colors in the rainbow: blue, green, yellow, pink. Many people have given their lives for one belief: They believed in freedom.

Do you put a comma on both sides of the word "however"?

There is only one, and the however is just inserted in the middle and does not start a new clause. Therefore, it should have a comma on both sides, not a semicolon.

Do you need a comma after the introductory words?

A semicolon is still required to join the two clauses, and an additional comma is also needed after the introductory words.

When to use semicolon in list?

You’d use a semicolon in a list to clearly separate items, especially if the items already contain commas.

What is the purpose of a colon in a sentence?

In a sentence, a colon’s job is to introduce information and give it context. Think of it as shorthand for “which is/are,” “as follows,” or “thus.”. For example: “There are three kinds of soda on the menu: ginger ale, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper.”. This can also be written as “There are three kinds of soda on the menu and they are, as follows, ...

What is a single hyphen?

A single hyphen is a separate punctuation mark that serves a completely different purpose: to join two words to create a compound word, for example. There are three different dashes you can use in your writing: Em dash: —. En dash: –. Double hyphen: ⸗. The em dash (—) is a super versatile punctuation mark.

How to connect a list and another clause in the same sentence?

Connect a list and another clause in the same sentence when the list comes first. Communicate that a word or part of a word is missing, either because it’s been purposefully omitted or is unknown. When using an em dash in this way, two or three em dashes are typically used for each missing word or portion of a word.

When is a colon necessary?

A colon is only necessary (and correct) when the list follows a complete independent clause. Here’s an example: I have many different art supplies in my basement: clay, acrylic paints, watercolors, colored pencils, and five kinds of paper.

When should you capitalize a colon?

In American English, the first word after a colon is capitalized when it begins a new sentence and when it’s a proper noun or acronym.

Can a colon separate two independent clauses?

Separating a sentence into two independent clauses is one of the rare instances where either a colon or a semicolon would be correct. While a semicolon can gently separate two independent clauses, a colon does so more concretely. Compare this sentence to the one above: The roads are icy; it’s dangerous to drive today.

What is the difference between a semicolon and a colon?

Colons and semicolons have different functions. A colon is like a "literary equals sign" (as opposed to mathematical one), and a semicolon is like a "half period" or "half full stop."

What is the purpose of semicolons?

A semicolon has three functions: (1) To create a smoother transition between "sentences," particularly when the second starts with a phrase like "however" or "as a result.". In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. (President Thomas Jefferson)

When to use a semicolon instead of a period?

Here are three scenarios when it would be acceptable to use a semicolon instead of a period (full stop): (Scenario 1) When your two sentences feel like cause and effect. If you could merge your two sentences into one with a word like "because" or "as" (called subordin ating conjunctions ), then consider a semicolon.

What does a colon do in a sentence?

A colon has four functions: (1) To expand on something already mentioned in the sentence. He blamed his divorce on one thing: beer. (A colon is like an equals sign. In this example, "one thing" equals "beer.") His fingerprints were found in two rooms: the kitchen and the bedroom.

What is a colon in writing?

Colons (:) introduce clauses or phrases that serve to describe, amplify, or restate what precedes them. Often they are used to introduce a quote or a list that satisfies the previous statement. For example, this summary could be written as "Colons can introduce many things: descriptors, quotes, lists, and more.".

Why do we use colons in prose?

In the running prose that we encounter in books, magazines, articles, and the like, colons are mostly used to introduce a clause or a phrase that explains, illustrates, amplifies, or restates what precedes them. (Reminder: clauses and phrases are both groups of words within a sentence; the basic difference between them is ...

What is an appositive colon?

A colon can also introduce something that acts as an appositive. (Reminder: An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that refers to the same thing as another noun or noun phrase in the same sentence, and is usually right next to that other noun or noun phrase, like in "my neighbor the doctor.". The two nouns/noun phrases—in this case "my neighbor" ...

What is the mark of introduction?

It's typically a mark of introduction, used to let the reader know that what follows the colon has been pointed to or described by what precedes the colon. (This is quite a different function from that of the semicolon, which is mostly used to separate two independent sentence parts that are related in meaning.)

Is a colon capitalized?

Note that what follow s the colon is not capitalized, but it could be. As a clause—it has its own subject and verb and could in fact function alone as its own sentence, albeit a sentence of the question variety—it certainly looks like something that can start with a capital letter, but whether it does or not is simply a matter of style.

When to use a semicolon?

A semicolon is used in place of a comma to separate phrases or items in a list or series when the phrases or items themselves contain commas or are especially long:

What is the difference between a semicolon and a comma?

The semicolon is the colon's quirkier sibling. While the colon is simply two dots stacked : the semicolon is a dot hovering over a comma ; The semicolon does jobs that are also done by other punctuation marks, but puts its own spin on the task. Like a comma, it can separate elements in a series.

What is a semicolon master?

You too can become a semicolon master! Semicolons (;) separate independent clauses that are related in meaning, and they separate items in a list when those items themselves are long or include commas. For example, this summary could say "Semicolons are useful; they show that clauses are related in meaning.".

Does a comma replace a semicolon?

In short sentences, a comma often replaces the semicolon: Mabel's cooking prowess, honed through years of complex feasts, was formidable; the interruption of its application ill-advised. The scent of the baking bread was sublime, the perfume of the goulash intoxicating.

What are the two most common uses of the semicolon?

Here are the two most common uses of the semicolon: 1. To help separate items in a list, when some of those items already contain commas. Let’s look at an example, as that is the easiest way to understand this use of the semicolon. Suppose I want to list three items that I bought at the grocery store: apples. grapes.

What does a semicolon look like?

The semicolon looks like a comma with a period above it, and this can be a good way to remember what it does. A semicolon creates more separation between thoughts than a comma does but less than a period does. Here are the two most common uses of the semicolon:

What is the use of colons in writing?

Common uses of colons. 1. To announce, introduce, or direct attention to a list, a noun or noun phrase, a quotation, or an example/explanation. You can use a colon to draw attention to many things in your writing. The categories listed below often overlap, so don’t worry too much about whether your intended use of the colon fits one category ...

What does a colon mean in writing?

To express time, in titles, and as part of other writing conventions. Colons appear in several standard or conventional places in writing. Here are a few examples: With numbers. Colons are used to separate units of time (4:45:00 expresses four hours, forty-five minutes, and zero seconds); ratios.