Semi-Colon and Colon
Semicolons and Colons
Use a semicolon (;) between two or more independent clauses when a comma/conjunction is not used.
Example: Jackson took his new car to the mall;his friend was with him when he went. Notice that the two clauses have been joined by a semicolon.
You may use a semicolon/conjunction to join two independent clauses together when one or both independent clauses use commas.
Examples: Hector likes ice cream, cake, and soda; and Jolene prefers cookies and pizza instead.
I like to eat pop corn; but my sister likes candy, pizza, and cake instead.
Use a colon before a list of items especially when the list starts with the word as follows or the following.
Example: Morgan needs the following: paper, pencil, glue, and a red ink pen for class.
Use a colon before a statement that explains a preceding statement.
Example: All classes this week will be shorter due to the weather: storms are predicted all every day starting Monday.
Use a colon before a long formal quotation.
Example: The writer of Paradise Lost wrote: “For whom the bells tolls, it tolls for thee. The death of anyone diminishes me.”
Use a colon between the hour and the minute
Example: It is 3:23 P.M. right now.
Use a colon after the salutation of a business/formal letter.
Dear Mr. Smith: The Honorable Jason Venable:
Use a colon between chapter and verse in a Biblical refrence and between titles and subtitles.
I found that quote in 1 John 2:12.
Psalm 23: 1
Anger and Frustration: Ailments of the human mind.