Semi-colon and Colon

Semi - colonLee would enjoy turnips at every meal; we would not enjoy any meal at which they were served.

1st Function•Use a semicolon to join independent clauses that are not joined by the conjunction and, but, for, nor, or, so or yet.

Examples:•Our goal was to run ten miles; we ran only five.

•They were noble souls; they not only possessed loving hearts but brave ones.

Our goal was to cover twenty miles the first day; instead, we covered half that distance.

She won the race easily; in fact, she set a new state record for the event.

2nd Function•Use a semicolon to join independent clauses separated by either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression.

Conjunctive Adverbs•also•consequently

•furthermore

•however•otherwise

•therefore•thus•instead•besides•nevertheless

Transitional Expressions•as a result•on the other hand•in fact•for instance

•Bess, who was suffering from laryngitis, was unable to make the speech; but Alan delivered it for her.

•In front of us were a column of refugees, many carrying heavy bundles; a few old carts, battered and hardly able to roll; and several troop carriers.

3rd Function•Consider the use of a semicolon to avoid confusion when independent clauses or items in a series already contain commas.

Colon•Be sure to bring the following: pen, ruler and glue.

1st Function•Use a colon before a list of items

Rebecca West describes the capital of Yugoslavia: “What has made modern Belgrade, though no one could guess it by looking at the town, is a conscious attempt to restore the glories of the medieval Serbian Empire.”

In 1750 the first American-made printing press was developed: Until then all presses had had to be imported from Europe.

2nd FunctionUse a colon to introduce a sentence that summarizes or explains the sentence before it.

Special situations requiring colons

Time expressed in numerals

7:10 a.m.

References to periodicals

Psychology Today 24:189

Biblical references Luke 10:12Subtitles of books and magazines

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Salutations Madam:Labels used to signal important ideas

Warning: Trespassers will be persecuted

Board WorkDanger This

stairway is not safe.

Perched high on the hill was an old town

the valley was dotted with a number of

small hamlets.

The chairman consulted at least

three other officials consequently, he made

the decision to abandon the project.

A visit to Sandringham includes many delights the house and grounds,

the natural trail, the church, and the annual

flower show.

I never forgot Ruskins’s line “Borrowers are

nearly always ill-spenders, and it is with

lent money that all evil is mainly done, and all

unjust war protracted.”

Activity #21. I expected an important

package this morning therefore, I waited several hours for the mall.

2. My sister plans to attend college next year in fact, she has already been accepted.

3. Our hope was to coordinate our efforts accordingly, we waited several hours for instructions.

4. Senator Robinson5. I want to repeat my point of

view clearly We cannot permit a change in policy at this time.

6. My friends intended to go shopping they were unable to get someone to drive them

7. My aunt arrived at the airport at 10 17 a.m.

8. Sam, who lives near the library, has been assigned to do the research and Tom will organize the final report.

9. Prince Edward Island is in Canada’s Eastern Maritimes British Columbia is on the West Coast.

10.Sue intends to study several major composers Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner and Bach.