{"id":356,"date":"2014-07-25T20:09:58","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T20:09:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/writershandbook\/?post_type=chapter&p=356"},"modified":"2014-07-25T21:15:31","modified_gmt":"2014-07-25T21:15:31","slug":"18-4-writing-with-semicolons-and-colons","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/chapter\/18-4-writing-with-semicolons-and-colons\/","title":{"raw":"18.4 Writing with Semicolons and Colons","rendered":"18.4 Writing with Semicolons and Colons"},"content":{"raw":" \r\n
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18.4<\/span> Writing with Semicolons and Colons<\/h2>\r\n
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
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  1. Understand when to use semicolons.<\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Understand when to use colons.<\/li>\r\n\t
  3. Recognize when semicolons and colons are used incorrectly.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\nBy the time you were taught how to use semicolons and colons in eighth grade or so, you were likely already set in your ways regarding punctuation. Here\u2019s the good news: it isn\u2019t too late to add these marks to your commonly used list and to appreciate how much they can do for your writing.\r\n
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    Using Semicolons<\/h2>\r\nA semicolon is a punctuation mark that signals a pause that is stronger than a comma but weaker than a period. Appropriately, a semicolon (;) looks like a period on top of a comma. The standard uses for semicolons are to separate two independent clauses instead of using coordinating conjunctions, to separate two independent clauses along with a conjunctive adverb, or to clarify a series that includes other punctuation.\r\n
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    Compound Sentences without Coordinating Conjunctions or with Conjunctive Adverbs<\/h2>\r\nCompound sentences with conjunctive adverbs or without coordinating conjunctions require a semicolon. Review Section 18.3 \"Eliminating Comma Splices and Fused Sentences\" for additional information.\r\n
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    Examples<\/h3>\r\nCompound sentence with a coordinating conjunction:<\/strong> Scout and Jem do not know much about Boo Radley, but they are afraid of him anyhow.\r\n\r\nCompound sentence without a coordinating conjunction:<\/strong> Scout and Jem do not know much about Boo Radley;<\/strong> they are afraid of him anyhow.\r\n\r\nCompound sentence with a conjunctive adverb:<\/strong> Scout and Jem do not know much about Boo Radley;<\/strong> nevertheless, they are afraid of him anyhow.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n
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    Items in a Series with Commas<\/h2>\r\nTypically, commas separate items in a series. Sometimes multiple-word series items include commas. In these cases, the commas within the items would be easily confused with the commas that separate the items. To avoid this confusion, you should use semicolons between these series items. You should not use semicolons to separate items in a series when the items do not include commas.\r\n
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    Examples<\/h3>\r\nSentence with series that results in comma confusion:<\/strong> In To Kill a Mockingbird<\/em>, Atticus Finch defends justice, the underprivileged, and his children,<\/strong> teaches his kids values,<\/strong> and stands up to the people of the town.\r\n\r\nSentence rewritten using semicolons to avoid comma confusion:<\/strong> In To Kill a Mockingbird<\/em>, Atticus Finch defends justice, the underprivileged, and his children;<\/strong> teaches his kids values;<\/strong> and stands up to the people of the town.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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    Using Colons<\/h2>\r\nA colon is used to separate parts or to signal that some related information or words are coming.\r\n
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    Introductions<\/h2>\r\nColons are used to introduce a variety of text components, including explanations and examples.\r\n