Colons and Semicolons

Front

What is a colon?

Back

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

Front

What is a semicolon?

Back

A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark used to connect closely related independent clauses.

Front

When should you use a colon?

Back

Use a colon to introduce a list, a quote, or to emphasize a point.

Front

When should you use a semicolon?

Back

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

Front

What should never follow a semicolon?

Back

A conjunction (e.g., and, but, so, or, nor, etc.) should never follow a semicolon.

Front

Correct this sentence: 'We all knew who cheated: for example, Juan.'

Back

The correct sentence is 'We all knew who cheated; Juan.'

Front

Correct this sentence: 'I drove through Nashville, TN, Memphis, TN, Little Rock, AR, and Fayetteville, AR.'

Back

The correct sentence is 'I drove through Nashville, TN; Memphis, TN; Little Rock, AR; and Fayetteville, AR.'

Front

Correct this sentence: 'I think, therefore, I am.'

Back

The correct sentence is 'I think; therefore, I am.'

Front

Correct this sentence: 'I went to the store to get some things, screws, a hammer, and nails.'

Back

The correct sentence is 'I went to the store to get some things: screws, a hammer, and nails.'

Front

What is the purpose of a colon in a sentence?

Back

The purpose of a colon is to introduce information that explains or elaborates on what came before it.