Name __________________________________________ Date ________________ Period ________
You’ve probably seen “:” and “;” before. But, if you’re like most people, you may not know exactly
how to use the : (colon) and ; (semicolon). It’s worth learning, though; they are useful tools for
writers. Here’s a promise: By the time you have finished reading this article, these punctuation marks
will no longer be a mystery.
The Semicolon’s Story
The semicolon joins two or more sentences that are related in meaning. Maybe the second is
an example or an explanation of the first, or the first is a cause and the second is its result. Perhaps
the second contradicts the first. The semicolon is a cue for readers; it helps them see the implied
connection.
I like baseball; the nonstop action is exciting.
You never should stop learning; if you do, you start to get old.
My girlfriend writes songs; she just finished one.
The two clauses on either side of the semicolon could stand alone as sentences. They would
be grammatically correct. But if you use a semicolon to combine them into one sentence, you
accomplish two things: You show the connection between the two parts, and you avoid short, choppy
sentences. (Note: The first word after a semicolon is not capitalized.)
Sometimes, the second part of a semicolon sentence begins with an adverb such as however,
therefore, or nevertheless. Those help writers make the relationship between the two parts of the
sentence explicit:
I wanted to start the day well; however, I missed the bus.
I hope to make the team; therefore, I started weight lifting.
Use the semicolon to separate a series of items which themselves contain commas:
I picked out a red, black, and green sweater; lightweight, loose-fitting khaki slacks;
and a pair of brown, thick-soled shoes.
In most series, however, the items can be separated by commas:
My favorite colors are pink, purple, and blue.
Now you try it! Add a semicolon to each sentence that follows.
1. His mother is a painter his father is a sculptor.
2. Steve, Luke, and Carla wrote poetry Luis wrote a play.
3. First I practiced soccer then I delivered papers.
4. Helen, please sing soprano Carol will sing alto.
5. Dogs are fun some, however, have a lot of energy.
The Colon’s Story
Colons announce things. Writers use them to draw attention to lists, examples and
explanations, quotes or formal statements, or sentences they want to stress. Colons make the reader
stop and look at what comes next. When a colon introduces a list, a phrase like “the following” or “as
follows” often appears. Here are some examples:
The following groups attended the awards ceremony: actors, athletes, and artists.
There is only one thing to do: Apologize.
Wrote Dickens: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
This above all: To thine own self be true. (Shakespeare)
Note: In the last three examples, the word following the colon is capitalized. That’s because it
begins a sentence. In the first example, the words following the colon do not form a sentence and do
not begin with a capital letter.
Colons are also used to write out time-of-day: School ends at 2:45.
Now you try it! Add a colon to each sentence that follows.
1. Our class schedule is as follows English, social studies, algebra, and science.
2. There were three winners Pat, Lydia, and Jack.
3. Abraham Lincoln wrote “Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this
continent a new nation….”
4. There are three ways in and out of the Grand Canyon on foot, by horseback, or on a mule.
5. He could think of but one course of action He would have to admit he had lied to his father.