Transcript Semicolons and Colons

Semicolons and Colons
By Ellyn Ball and Lilly Jenkins
• The semicolon looks like a period over a comma (;). The
semicolon signals a less final pause than a period but a
stronger separation than a comma.
• Semicolons are used to join complete ideas within sentences
and to avoid confusion in sentences already containing several
commas.
• The following rule governs the use of semicolons with
independent clauses:
• Use a semicolon to join independent clauses that are NOT
already joined by the conjunctions and, but, for, not, or, so or
yet.
Semicolon
• Clauses with Comma:
• The Wright brothers read books about flying, and they dreamed
of building a flying machine.
• Their first flight lasted just 12 seconds, for the plane traveled
only 120 feet.
• Clauses with Semicolon:
• The Wright brothers read books about flying; they dreamed of
building a flying machine.
• Their first flight lasted just 12 seconds; the plane traveled only
120 feet.
Using Semicolons to Join Independent
Clauses
• A semicolon should be used only when there is a close
relationship between the two independent clauses. If the
clauses are not very closely related, they should be written as
separate sentences with a period or other end mark to separate
them.
• Incorrect: The Wright brothers’ first flight lasted just 12
seconds; the plane had a 40-foot wing span.
• Correct: The Wright brothers’ first flight lasted just 12
seconds. The plane had a 40-foot wing span.
Using Semicolons to Join Independent
Clauses
• Sometimes, to avoid confusion, semicolons are used to
separate items in a series.
• Consider the use of semicolons to avoid confusion when
items in a series already contain commas.
• When the items in a series already contain several
commas, semicolons can be used to make a sentence
easier to read. Semicolons are placed at the end of all but
the last complete items in a series.
• Example: The fans, cheering loudly; the band, playing a
rousting march; and the cheerleaders, turning
cartwheels, helped inspire the team to play well.
Using Semicolons to Avoid Confusion
• Colons can be used to introduce list of items and in certain other
special situations. The colon looks like two periods, one above
the other (: )
• Use a colon before a list of items following an independent
clause.
• Example:
• Sander's model airplane collection included may different items:
a piper Cub, a P-51 Mustang, a Heinkel Salamander, and a
Spitfire.
Colons
• Notice that a colon should never should never be used directly
after a verb or preposition.
• Example:
• Incorrect: The magazine included: an article on model planes, a
column about radio controls, and a ballooning poster.
• Correct: Some features in the magazine were the following: an
article on model planes, a column on radio controls, and a poster
on ballooning.
Colons
• Using a colon in a number of special writing situations to show
time with numerals, to end salutations in business letters, and to
signal important ideas.
Special uses of the Colon
Numbers Giving the Time
Salutations in Business Letters
Labels Used to Signal Important Ideas
12:25 P.M.
Gentlemen:
Dear Ms. Brown
Caution: High Voltage
Warning: Trespassers will be prosecuted.
Using Colons in Special Situations
• Rally Coach (use selector tool pg. 6.32)
• Add in semicolons or colons in the appropriate spots.
• The first astronauts faced uncertainties however, the flights were
completed successfully.
• The plane will arrive at 630 P.M.
• To whom it may concern
• America plans to send a man into space required careful planning
therefore, the process took several years.
• Precautions were taken in case of a failure for example, an
ejection seat was designed.
• Warning Earplugs Required in Hangers
Quick Check
 On the left side of your interactive notebook,
list one of each kind of semicolon and
colon learned today (do not use any
examples given today). Make sure to
illustrate and color code.
You Do