Colons, Semi-Colons, and Dashes
COLONS:
1. Separate two main clauses in which the second clause amplifies or explains the first.
This dictum is often believed to be in the Hippocratic Oath: first, do no harm.
2. Introduce a series, quotation, or list. When using a colon to introduce a list, look for anticipatory
phrases like thus, as follows, or the following.
The words of Martin Luther King, Jr. became a popular theme for this year’s conference: “Are you
able to accept blows without retaliation?”
The parade included the following components: several floats, a large mechanized dragon, and enough
cotton candy to feed a small army.
3. Separate elements. Use a colon to separate elements in the salutations of formal letters, ratios,
biblical chapters and verses, titles and subtitles, and bibliographic information on cities and publishers.
Dear Mr. Smith:
New York: St. Martin’s, 2018.
SEMI-COLONS:
1. Join separate independent clauses in a compound sentence when no connective word is used. In
most cases, you can alternatively use a period and form two individual sentences. You should never
use a semicolon to connect an independent clause and a dependent clause; use a comma instead.
The sky was blue; the grass was green.
2. Connect main clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb or a coordinating conjunction.
Conjunctive adverbs include also, besides, furthermore, then, however, thus, hence, indeed, and yet. Coordinating
conjunctions include and, but, or, for, and nor.
The patient’s fever had subsided; however, his condition was still critical.
3. Separate lengthy or complex lists within a sentence. Semi-colons can also be used for sentences that
include a comma in at least one of the listed items.
The reasons that the jackrabbit became extinct include the elimination of access to fresh spring water,
essential for jackrabbit survival; the paparazzi phenomena of the 1980s; and the jackrabbit’s inability to
adapt to the Idahoan environment.
DASHES:
1. Insert a comment into your sentence.
The pleasures of reading itself—who doesn’t remember?—were like those of a Christmas cake, a
sweet devouring. – Eudora Welty
2. Emphasize explanatory material. This emphasis can occur in the middle of the sentence—like
this set of dashes is doing right now—or at the end of a sentence.
The significance of kinship relationships in eighteenth-century England is often ignored by
historians—except those who look at primary sources from the period.
3. Mark a sudden change in tone or indicate a hesitation of speech within a sentence.
New York is a catastrophe—but a magnificent catastrophe. – Le Corbusier
With one hand in the cookie jar, little Timmy stammered, “What—What cookie jar?”
4. Introduce a summary or explanation for your sentence.
In walking, the average adult person employs a motor mechanism that weighs about eighty
pounds—sixty pounds of muscle and twenty pounds of bone. – Edward Way Teale
.
Visit http://fhsswriting.byu.edu/ for style guides, handouts, and help with writing, research, and more
Visit http://fhsswriting.byu.edu/ for style guides, handouts, and help with writing, research, and more