C. Semicolons and Colons
Semicolons and Colons
Semicolons and colons both indicate breaks in the flow of a sentence, but each has its own particular use, distinct from the uses of periods or commas.
Semicolons
Semicolons to join two independent clauses
Use a semicolon to combine two closely related independent clauses. Relying on a period to separate the related clauses into two shorter sentences, though correct, could lead to choppy writing, and a reader might not understand the degree to which the two ideas are related. Using a comma would create a run-on sentence in which the relationship between the two ideas is not clear. Using a semicolon to combine two clauses indicates to readers that they are clearly connected and can help avoid the choppiness and underscore the connection in meaning, as in the example below.
Example 1
Incorrect: Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview, appearances are important.
Correct: Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview; appearances are important.
Correct but choppy: Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview. Appearances are important.
Tip
A semicolon on its own can join two main clauses. But what if there is also a connecting word joining the clauses? Use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb such as however or therefore, but do not use a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction such as and, or, and but.
Semicolons to join items in a list
You can also use a semicolon to join items in a list when the items in the list already require commas. Semicolons help the reader distinguish between items in the list. Notice how adding semicolons in the example below clarifies an unwieldy list of colors, allowing the reader to easily understand the writer is discussing three sets of colors.
Example 2
Incorrect: The color combinations we can choose from are black, white, and grey, green, brown, and black, or red, green, and brown.
Correct: The color combinations we can choose from are black, white, and grey; green, brown, and black; or red, green, and brown.
Exercise 1: Correct the following sentences by adding semicolons as needed. In some cases, no correction may be needed.
- I did not notice that you were in the office I was behind the front desk all day.
- Do you want turkey, spinach, and cheese roast beef, lettuce, and cheese or ham, tomato, and cheese?
- Please close the blinds there is a glare on the screen.
- Unbelievably, no one was hurt in the accident.
- I cannot decide if I want my room to be green, brown, and purple green, black, and brown or green, brown, and dark red.
- Let’s go for a walk the air is so refreshing.
Colons
Colons to introduce a list
A colon must always follow an independent clause. Use a colon to introduce a list of items. Introduce the list with an independent clause, as in the examples below.
Example 3
The team will tour three states: New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
I have to take four classes this semester: Composition, Sta