Usage of Semicolons and colons
1. Use a semicolon between independent clauses in a sentence if they are not joined by and, but, or, not, for, so, or yet.
Ex. Zach and I had a game; we won.
2. Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by such words as for example, for instance, that is, besides, accordingly, moreover, nevertheless, furthermore, otherwise therefore, however, consequently, instead, and hence. These connectives are usually at the beginning of a clause and normally are followed by a comma.
Ex. We saw a very stupid movie; however, we still watched it.
3. A semicolon (rather than a comma) may be needed to separate independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if there are commas within the clause.
Ex. During high school, Katlin and Ashley studied hard, played sports, and hung out with friends; after high school they went to college at ISU.
4. Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas.
Ex. I have lived in various places such as Lewistown, IL; Bushnell, IL; Macomb, IL; and Kennesaw, GA.
Uses of Colons 1. Use a colon to mean “note what follows.”
When a list comes immediately after a verb or preposition, do not use a colon.
Ex. We were allowed four articles in the examination area: pencils, compasses, rulers, and protractors.
At the amusement park we rode the roller coaster, the ferris wheel, the bumper cars, and the water ride.
2. Use a colon before a long, formal statement or quotation.
3. Use a colon between the hour and the minute when writing the time.
4. Use a colon between chapter and verse in referring to passages from the Bible.
5. Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter.
Ex. Zach and I had a game; we won.
2. Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by such words as for example, for instance, that is, besides, accordingly, moreover, nevertheless, furthermore, otherwise therefore, however, consequently, instead, and hence. These connectives are usually at the beginning of a clause and normally are followed by a comma.
Ex. We saw a very stupid movie; however, we still watched it.
3. A semicolon (rather than a comma) may be needed to separate independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if there are commas within the clause.
Ex. During high school, Katlin and Ashley studied hard, played sports, and hung out with friends; after high school they went to college at ISU.
4. Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas.
Ex. I have lived in various places such as Lewistown, IL; Bushnell, IL; Macomb, IL; and Kennesaw, GA.
Uses of Colons 1. Use a colon to mean “note what follows.”
When a list comes immediately after a verb or preposition, do not use a colon.
Ex. We were allowed four articles in the examination area: pencils, compasses, rulers, and protractors.
At the amusement park we rode the roller coaster, the ferris wheel, the bumper cars, and the water ride.
2. Use a colon before a long, formal statement or quotation.
3. Use a colon between the hour and the minute when writing the time.
4. Use a colon between chapter and verse in referring to passages from the Bible.
5. Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter.