The Penn State Berks Writing Center
Guide to Semicolons and Colons
Semicolons
1 Semicolons (;) are often used for combining completed sentences that are very
closely related in meaning. In these instances, the semicolon functions much
like a period to signal the end of one completed idea and the beginning of a
new one. Here are some examples:



The rising cost of medicines and medical equipment are large factors in
making health insurance more expensive; employers cannot afford those
costs and have to pass them on to employees.1
She is excited to go to Francine’s party tonight; she even called Francine
again to confirm the time.
I always have the orange glazed chicken when we go to that restaurant; my
husband usually orders steak.
2 Use a semicolon to join two complete sentence when the second sentence
begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, furthermore,
thus, meanwhile, nonetheless, otherwise) or a transition (in fact, for example,
that is, for instance, in addition, in other words, on the other hand, even so).
Here are some examples:
 She apologized for causing a scene when they went shopping; however, he
has not forgiven her.
 If she doesn’t begin to complete her duties as requested, she will not
receive a raise; furthermore, she might even be fired.
 Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern; in fact, the
concern for America's safety has led to an awareness of global terrorism.1
3 Use a semicolon to join elements of a series when individual items of the
series already include commas. Here are some examples:
 Recent sites of the Olympic Games include Athens, Greece; Salt Lake City,
Utah; Sydney, Australia; Nagano, Japan.1
4 Don’t use a semi-colon between the coordinating conjunctions and, or, nor,
for, yet, so, or but. Use a comma instead.
INCORRECT – I wanted to go to the mall; but I’m all out of money.
CORRECT – I wanted to go to the mall, but I’m all out of money.
1 Example courtesy of Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab: owl.english.purdue.edu
smb5037: 08/24/2011
The Penn State Berks Writing Center
Guide to Semicolons and Colons
Semicolons
1 Semicolons (;) are often used for combining completed sentences that are very
closely related in meaning. In these instances, the semicolon functions much
like a period to signal the end of one completed idea and the beginning of a
new one. Here are some examples:



The rising cost of medicines and medical equipment are large factors in
making health insurance more expensive; employers cannot afford those
costs and have to pass them on to employees.1
She is excited to go to Francine’s party tonight; she even called Francine
again to confirm the time.
I always have the orange glazed chicken when we go to that restaurant; my
husband usually orders steak.
2 Use a semicolon to join two complete sentence when the second sentence
begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, furthermore,
thus, meanwhile, nonetheless, otherwise) or a transition (in fact, for example,
that is, for instance, in addition, in other words, on the other hand, even so).
Here are some examples:
 She apologized for causing a scene when they went shopping; however, he
has not forgiven her.
 If she doesn’t begin to complete her duties as requested, she will not
receive a raise; furthermore, she might even be fired.
 Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern; in fact, the
concern for America's safety has led to an awareness of global terrorism.1
3 Use a semicolon to join elements of a series when individual items of the
series already include commas. Here are some examples:
 Recent sites of the Olympic Games include Athens, Greece; Salt Lake City,
Utah; Sydney, Australia; Nagano, Japan.1
4 Don’t use a semi-colon between the coordinating conjunctions and, or, nor,
for, yet, so, or but. Use a comma instead.
INCORRECT – I wanted to go to the mall; but I’m all out of money.
CORRECT – I wanted to go to the mall, but I’m all out of money.
1 Example courtesy of Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab: owl.english.purdue.edu
smb5037: 08/24/2011
The Penn State Berks Writing Center
Guide to Semicolons and Colons
Colons
Colons (:) are used to signal a list of several or more items, or as a substitute
for “it is, “they are,” or similar expressions. Here are some examples:


These are the major steps in applying for college: finding schools that have
the major you want to study, filling out applications, asking for letters of
recommendation, taking the SAT or ACT, and ordering official transcripts
from your previous schools.1
There is only one thing to do: talk to your daughter’s teacher about it.1
Still have questions? Contact the Writing Center!

Phone:
610-396-6029 or 610-396-6333

Email:
bk-writingcenter@psu.edu

Facebook: facebook.com/pennstateberkswritingcenter
Dr. Holly Ryan
Writing Center
Coordinator
holly.ryan@psu.edu
610-396-6333
Sarah M. Bollinger, MA
Asst. Writing Center
Coordinator
smb5037@psu.edu
610-396-6029
1 Example courtesy of Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab: owl.english.purdue.edu
smb5037: 08/24/2011
The Penn State Berks Writing Center
Guide to Semicolons and Colons
Colons
Colons (:) are used at the beginning of lists of several or more items, or as a
substitute for “it is, “they are,” or similar expressions. Here are some
examples:


These are the major steps in applying for college: finding schools that have
the major you want to study, filling out applications, asking for letters of
recommendation, taking the SAT or ACT, and ordering official transcripts
from your previous schools.1
There is only one thing to do: talk to your daughter’s teacher about it.1
Still have questions? Contact the Writing Center!

Phone:
610-396-6029 or 610-396-6333

Email:
bk-writingcenter@psu.edu

Facebook: facebook.com/pennstateberkswritingcenter
Dr. Holly Ryan
Writing Center
Coordinator
holly.ryan@psu.edu
610-396-6333
Sarah M. Bollinger, MA
Asst. Writing Center
Coordinator
smb5037@psu.edu
610-396-6029
1 Example courtesy of Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab: owl.english.purdue.edu
smb5037: 08/24/2011