Colons and Semicolons What are they Colons Colon

Colons and Semicolons What are they?

Colons :

Colon : • What is it? Two points, one on top of the other

What does it do? • In a sentence, the colon tells you that what comes after it will clarify or expand on what was said before the colon. • You can only use a colon after a complete sentence; do not use it between a verb and the object of the verb • before a list or an explanation that is preceded by a clause that can stand by itself.

Examples of Correct Usage 1) Our grades in writing class are based on three main elements: essays, homework and participation. 2) In order to learn how to skydive, Jeff had to do the impossible: He had to face his fear of heights. 3) Whenever I’m running a marathon, one phrase keeps me motivated: “Slow and steady wins the race. ”

Other Uses • In formal letters ex- Dear Professor Lee: • In titles & substitutes ex- Space Odyssey: 2001

Examples of Common Mistakes 1) My favorite types of music are: hip hop, jazz and reggae. 2) There are many things on my “to do” list such as: organizing files, cleaning my room and feeding the parrot.

Semicolons ;

Semicolon; • What is it? It’s a point on top of a comma

What does it do? • It both separates and ties together, acting like a period but going between two independent clauses (sentences) that are closely related. • Used to separate closely related independent clauses • We also use the semicolon instead of the comma to separate items in a complicated list

Examples of Correct Usage • 1) It was really cloudy yesterday; The sky looked as if it were going to rain. • 2) It was really cloudy yesterday; thus, I expected it to rain at any moment.

Examples of Common Mistakes • 1) It was really cold last night; so I decided to wear a sweater • 2) Our grades in economics are based on three main elements; homework, midterms and quizzes

Conjunctions • When you have two independent clauses (sentences) separated by a semicolon, you have the option of adding a conjunctive adverb (however, instead, moreover, thus etc. ) • You should not use a coordinating conjunction (for, and, but, so etc. ) • You can also choose to have no extra words in between

Colons and Semicolons Now you know

Works Cited • "College of Arts and Sciences. " The Writing Center Semicolons Colons and Dashes Comments. The Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill, n. d. Web. 16 Oct. 2013. <http: //writingcenter. unc. edu/handouts/semicolons-and-dashes/>. • "Welcome to Purdue OWL Engagement. " Purdue OWL Engagement. The OWL at Purdue, n. d. Web. 16 Oct. 2013. <https: //owl. english. purdue. edu/engagement/index. php? category_id =2>.