GEAR UP FOR LIFE
WRITING MENTOR :Colons and Semicolons

You have learned how to use a comma. It separates items in a sentence. It never ends a sentence.

You will also need to practice using the colon and the semicolon. They look similar. Both have dots, but they work very differently.

The colon :

Some people use the colon to create a smile in typing :) But that is not what the colon is used for in writing sentences.

Most often a colon is used to list words that give details about a noun (person, place, or thing).

Colons are also used to introduce definitions:

Debt: the amount of money someone owes

The semicolon ;

Some people use the semicolon to create a wink when they are typing. ;-) But that is not what the semicolon is used for in writing sentences.

A semicolon acts like a "semi" period or colon. "Semi" means "part." For example, if someone is semi-conscious, she is partly conscious.

A semi colon, or part colon, has a period and a comma (;). It closes one sentence and opens another that is very close to it. The two ideas split by a semicolon are like brother and sister. The have a close relationship. The following sentences are all correctly punctuated. Which do you think is the best?

1. Kelly drove all night; she barely made it.

2. Kelly drove all night. She barely made it.

3. Kelly drove all night, and she barely made it.

The first sentence shows a very close relationship between the two events; however,all three sentences are correct. Look at the next two sentences.

Sometimes, the second part of the sentence uses a word to prepare the reader for the relationship (opposite, similar, another example, contradiction. These words are called transitions because they carry the idea from one part to another.

 

I'm getting poorer by the month. I have so many bills; in addition, I have to buy a new transmission for the truck.

 

She put in a lot of extra hours at work; therefore, she got a raise!