COLON AND SEMICOLON RULES
USE A COLON…
1. to introduce a list of items
They decided to go for three reasons: they needed a rest, the airfare was
reasonable, and there would be a few tourists.
2. to introduce direct quotations more than four lines long, which are set off from the
body of the text
In his speech John said:
I promise to do my best to serve the student body in the following year. I know
with your support we will all have a memorable time.
3. after the salutation in a business letter when two-point or closed punctuation is used
Dear Madam:
4. to separate hours and minutes in expressions of time
10:30
5. between the initials of a dictator and a transcriber
JB:sg
6. to express ratios
10:5
7. after the names of speakers in play scripts
John: Will you help me, Bess?
Bess: Of course I will.
USE A SEMICOLON…
1. between clauses in a compound sentence when there is no conjunction
The party began at two; Frank arrived at four.
2. between clauses in a long compound sentence that already contains commas
Mrs. Flynn, who turned eighty on Saturday, is going; and Mr. Travers, who lives
next door wants to come.
3. before conjunctive adverbs such as therefore, consequently, however, etc.
Reservations for dinner had been made at the restaurant; therefore, Sandra and
Paul had no trouble getting in.
4. in a series that already contains commas
The following people were elected: Marg Adams, president; Emily Ollerton, vicepresident; and Wendy Zimmerman, secretary.
COLON AND SEMICOLON EXERCISE
Key the following sentences, placing a colon or semicolon in the appropriate spots.
Single space each sentence; double space between sentences.
1. Sally knew she would do well subsequently, she did.
2. The three top students were Nicole Beauchamps, 95 per cent Brian Marcus, 90 per
cent and Cynthia Shantz, 89 per cent.
3. The examination began at noon they arrived at 11:30.
4. He opened his remarks with the words
One cannot live for long without being
forced to make decisions. The decisions
we make will depend largely on the values
we place on things, people and ideas.
5. The skier, who broke her leg on the hill, went to the hospital and Dr. Myatt, who was
skiing on the hill that day, accompanied her.
6. Pam worked hard for example, she spent six hours in the library yesterday.
7. Guests arrived from Paris, France London, England and Rome, Italy.
8. The party will begin at 2030.
9. Stuart saved his money for an entire year consequently, he had enough to pay for the
electric guitar he wanted so badly.
10. The committee will choose of the following dates October 23, October 30, November
6, or November 13.