LEO: Literacy Education Online Semicolon and Colon

Uses of the Semicolon

1. To join independent clauses in compound sentences that do not have coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet) and commas as connectors. Words like "however," "moreover," "thus," and "therefore," are often used as connectors in these sentences.
   • Comparisons are often used to emphasize a basic idea; however, they are more often used to explain something complex or unfamiliar by showing how something we don't understand relates to something we do.

   • There was no running and no shouting; all the children behaved very well; therefore, they will all get a treat.

   • Working mothers nationally pay an average of $53 a week for child care; this means that many women pay nearly half of their weekly salary to day care centers or babysitters.

2. To separate long or complicated items in a series which already includes commas.
   • The speakers were Dr. Judith Cornwell, English; Dr. Peter Mortrude, biology; Dr. Shirley Enders, history; and Dr. Charles Viceroy, mathematics.

   • I have recommended this student because she communicates well with other students, faculty, and staff; completes her assignments ably and on time; and demonstrates an ability to organize people, materials, and time.

3. To separate two long or complex independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if confusion would result from using a comma.
   • Ishmael, the narrator in Moby-Dick goes to sea, he says, "whenever it is a damp, drizzly November" in his heart and soul; but Ahab, the captain of the ship, goes to sea because of his obsession to hunt and kill the great white whale, Moby Dick.

   • By the end of the sessions, the participants will have learned how to handle excessive amounts of paperwork, to work under pressure, and to juggle deadlines; and, if they complete all requirements, they will have a valuable addition to their resumes.

Uses of the Colon

1. After an independent clause that precedes a list.
   • The use of these punctuation marks often confuses students: comma, semicolon, colon, hyphen, and dash.

   • The Stearns County Theatrical Company announces the opening of the following plays: Lear, May 10th; Death of a Salesman, June 15th; and Camelot, August 20th.

   • There are three historical sources of belief: reason or intellect, custom or habit,and inspiration.

2. To separate an explanation, rule, or example from a preceding independent clause.
   • After a sleepless night, the senator made her decision: she would not seek re-election.

   • Music is more than a mechanical arrangement of sounds: it is an expression of deep feeling and ethical values.

   • A way to remember which direction to move the hands of the clock when changing to or from Daylight Savings Time: spring forward, fall back.

3. After the salutation of a business letter.
   • Dear Mr. Peterson:
   • Dear Faculty Member:

4. In the heading of a business memo.
   • TO:
   • SUBJECT:

5. Between the hour and the minutes.
   • 5:30 p.m.
   • 3:00 a.m.

6. Between the chapter and the verse in the Bible, in citations for some literary works, and between the volume and the number of some publications.
   • Genesis 1:18-20
   • Part 3:121
   • Vol. 2:34

7. As part of a title.
   • Grey Power: A Practical Survival Handbook for Senior Citizens.

8. In a bibliography between the place of publication and the name of the publisher.
   • Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1966.