Colons & Semicolons

A colon (:) is a punctuation mark used to introduce a list, a quote, or an explanation.

Use a colon before a list or an explanation that follows an independent clause.

A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark that connects closely related independent clauses.

Use a semicolon to link two independent clauses that are closely related in thought.

A colon introduces lists or explanations, while a semicolon connects related independent clauses.

Example: I have three favorite fruits: apples, bananas, and oranges.

Example: I wanted to go for a walk; it was raining outside.

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence.

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Use a colon before the list if it follows an independent clause.