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\r\n\r\nThe semicolon is one of the most misunderstood and misused punctuation marks; in fact, it is often mistaken for the colon (which we'll discuss next). However, these two punctuation marks are not interchangeable. A semicolon connects two complete ideas (a complete idea has a subject and a verb) that are connected to each other. Look at this sentence for example:\r\nAnika's statue is\u00a0presently displayed\u00a0in the center of the exhibit; this location makes it a\u00a0focal point and allows it to direct the flow of visitors to the museum.<\/p>\r\nThe first idea tells us where Anika's statue is, and the second idea tells us more about the location and it's importance. Each of these ideas could be its own sentence, but by using a semicolon, the author is telling the reader that the two ideas are connected.\u00a0Often, you may find yourself putting a comma in the place of the semicolon; this is incorrect. Using a comma here would create a run-on sentence (we'll discuss those more in\u00a0Text: Run-on Sentences<\/a>). Remember: a comma can join a complete idea to other items while a semicolon needs a complete idea on either side.\r\n\r\nThe semicolon can also be used to separate\u00a0items in a list when those items have internal commas. For example, say you're listing a series of cities and their states, or you're listing duties for a resume:\r\n (5)\u00a0The artifact was recovered probably in July 1901 from the Antikythera shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera. (6)\u00a0Believed to have been designed and constructed by Greek scientists; the instrument has recently been dated to\u00a0205 BC. (7)\u00a0After the knowledge of this technology was lost at some point in antiquity, technological artifacts approaching its complexity and workmanship did not appear again until the development of mechanical astronomical clocks in Europe in the fourteenth century.<\/p>\r\n (8)\u00a0All known fragments of the Antikythera mechanism are kept at the National Archaeological Museum, Athens.<\/p>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"4\"][\/practice-area]\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"201258\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"201258\"]There are two colons in sentence one. The first colon is incorrect: a colon that introduces a list\u00a0must<\/em> be preceded by a complete idea. Removing the colon is the easiest solution. (Another solution would be to change the sentence so it reads \". . . several purposes, including the following: predicting . . . .\"\r\n\r\nThe second colon in sentence 1 is technically correct, as the colon introduces a clarification on the first part of the sentence. However, the colon places an importance on the definition of\u00a0Olympiads<\/em> that is not necessary. The focus of this passage is the\u00a0Antikythera. Using a comma or parentheses to set off the definition would be more appropriate.\r\n\r\nSentence three is two complete ideas joined by a semicolon. The sentence is technically correct. However, the second idea explains why the first is true (the artifact was found as a single lump because it was encased in wood that rotted around it). A colon might fit better in this instance.\r\n\r\nIn sentence six, the semicolon is misused. It is preceded by the\u00a0incomplete idea \"Believed to have been designed and constructed by Greek scientists.\" There is only a verb, not a subject, so it can't stand on its own. The semicolon should be replaced by a comma.\r\n\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":" The semicolon is one of the most misunderstood and misused punctuation marks; in fact, it is often mistaken for the colon (which we’ll discuss next). However, these two punctuation marks are not interchangeable. A semicolon connects two complete ideas (a complete idea has a subject and a verb) that are connected to each other. Look at this sentence for example:<\/p>\n Anika’s statue is\u00a0presently displayed\u00a0in the center of the exhibit; this location makes it a\u00a0focal point and allows it to direct the flow of visitors to the museum.<\/p>\n The first idea tells us where Anika’s statue is, and the second idea tells us more about the location and it’s importance. Each of these ideas could be its own sentence, but by using a semicolon, the author is telling the reader that the two ideas are connected.\u00a0Often, you may find yourself putting a comma in the place of the semicolon; this is incorrect. Using a comma here would create a run-on sentence (we’ll discuss those more in\u00a0Text: Run-on Sentences<\/a>). Remember: a comma can join a complete idea to other items while a semicolon needs a complete idea on either side.<\/p>\n The semicolon can also be used to separate\u00a0items in a list when those items have internal commas. For example, say you’re listing a series of cities and their states, or you’re listing duties for a resume:<\/p>\n The colon is like a sign on the highway, announcing that something important is coming. It acts as an arrow pointing forward, telling you to read on for important information. A common analogy used to explain the colon is that it acts like a flare in the road, signaling that something meaningful lies ahead.<\/p>\n Use the colon when you wish to provide pithy emphasis.<\/p>\n Use the colon to introduce material that explains, amplifies, or summaries what has preceded it.<\/p>\n The colon is also commonly used to present a list or series:<\/p>\n Are\u00a0the semicolons and colons used correctly in the following sentences? Write your corrections and comments in the text frame below.\u00a0The sentences have been numbered to aid in your comments.<\/p>\n (5)\u00a0The artifact was recovered probably in July 1901 from the Antikythera shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera. (6)\u00a0Believed to have been designed and constructed by Greek scientists; the instrument has recently been dated to\u00a0205 BC. (7)\u00a0After the knowledge of this technology was lost at some point in antiquity, technological artifacts approaching its complexity and workmanship did not appear again until the development of mechanical astronomical clocks in Europe in the fourteenth century.<\/p>\n (8)\u00a0All known fragments of the Antikythera mechanism are kept at the National Archaeological Museum, Athens.<\/p>\n\r\n \t
Colons<\/h2>\r\n
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The colon: well-loved but, oh, so misunderstood. The colon is not just used to introduce a list; it is far more flexible. The colon can be used after the first word of a sentence or just before the final word of a sentence. The colon can also be used to introduce a grammatically independent sentence. Thus, it is one of the most powerful punctuation marks.\r\n\r\nThe colon is like a sign on the highway, announcing that something important is coming. It acts as an arrow pointing forward, telling you to read on for important information. A common analogy used to explain the colon is that it acts like a flare in the road, signaling that something meaningful lies ahead.\r\n\r\nUse the colon when you wish to provide pithy emphasis.\r\n\r\n \t
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\r\nPractice<\/h3>\r\nAre\u00a0the semicolons and colons used correctly in the following sentences? Write your corrections and comments in the text frame below.\u00a0The sentences have been numbered to aid in your comments.\r\n
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(1)\u00a0The Antikythera mechanism is an ancient analogue computer\u00a0likely used for several purposes including: predicting astronomical positions and eclipses\u00a0and calculating\u00a0Olympiads: the cycles of the ancient Olympic Games.\u00a0(2)\u00a0The device is a complex clockwork mechanism composed of at least 30 meshing bronze gears. (3)\u00a0Its remains were found as one lump; it was recovered from a shipwreck, and the device was originally housed in a\u00a0wooden box. (4)\u00a0This lump was later separated into 82 separate fragments after extensive conservation work.<\/p>\r\nSemicolons<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n\n
Colons<\/h2>\n
The colon: well-loved but, oh, so misunderstood. The colon is not just used to introduce a list; it is far more flexible. The colon can be used after the first word of a sentence or just before the final word of a sentence. The colon can also be used to introduce a grammatically independent sentence. Thus, it is one of the most powerful punctuation marks.<\/p>\n\n
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\nPractice<\/h3>\n
(1)\u00a0The Antikythera mechanism is an ancient analogue computer\u00a0likely used for several purposes including: predicting astronomical positions and eclipses\u00a0and calculating\u00a0Olympiads: the cycles of the ancient Olympic Games.\u00a0(2)\u00a0The device is a complex clockwork mechanism composed of at least 30 meshing bronze gears. (3)\u00a0Its remains were found as one lump; it was recovered from a shipwreck, and the device was originally housed in a\u00a0wooden box. (4)\u00a0This lump was later separated into 82 separate fragments after extensive conservation work.<\/p>\n