SEMICOLONS AND COLONS

Use a semicolon to join two complete sentences into one compound

sentence.

• It’s not too hot in here; it’s not too cold either.

• Many people read books; others prefer magazines.

Use a semicolon to separate items in a list if the items are long or have so many commas in them that it would be confusing to separate them with

commas.

• To get ready for your party, you should clean your room; make sure your funky, fresh CD collection is by the stereo; prepare a lot of delicious food; and expect things to get crazy.

Use a semicolon to separate sentences that are joined by conjunctive adverbs.

• Elizabeth was dressed to go out; however, the phone call delayed her, and she missed her ride.

• Michael was angry with Cathy for forgetting to feed the dog; moreover, he was upset about seeing her junk all over the table.

CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS

• Also• Anyway• Besides• Certainly• Finally• However• Incidentally• Indeed

• Instead• Meanwhile• Moreover• Nevertheless• Otherwise• Therefore• Thus

Use a colon when you are ending a sentence with a list. But, never, I mean never, use a colon after

a verb like is or are.

• WRONG—My favorite musicians are: Bob Dylan, Wyclef Jean, and the late Jerry Garcia.

• RIGHT—These are three really great modern bands: Outkast, Widespread Panic, and U2.

Use a colon to introduce a quotation.

• Franklin Roosevelt once stated: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”

Additional Examples

• John 3: 16

• 8:05 AM

• To whom it may concern: