Junior Grammar Notes - Colons and Semicolons

SEMICOLON

The Big Idea  - When you have two complete thoughts about the same topic that are so closely related you don’t want to split them up with a period, the semi-colon is your friend (and helps you avoid dreaded run-ons).

SEMICOLON RULE 1

Semi-colons join two independent clauses (complete sentences) that are not connected with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

• I really like Macbeth; it may be my favorite play ever. 
• Macbeth cannot control his own personal life; the witches and Lady Macbeth take over.

SEMICOLON RULE 2

Semi-colons are used before a conjunctive adverb (also, besides, for example, however, in addition, instead, meanwhile, then, therefore, hence, moreover, after all, in fact). The second clause begins with the conjunctive adverb and a comma. 

• I really like the storyline of Macbeth; however, I prefer the characters of Romeo and Juliet.
• Lady Macbeth understands her husband’s weaknesses; therefore, she knows how to get him to do what she wants.

COLON

The Big Idea - Use a colon to introduce an explanation, an example, an appositive, a list, or a quotation.

• At the baby’s one-month birthday party, Ah Po gave him the Four Valuable Things: ink, inkslab, paper, and brush (Kingston).

The words to the left of the colon need to form a complete sentence. DO NOT use a colon if the words to the left of it are not a complete sentence.

• Some natural fibers are: cotton, wool, silk, and linen.