Lesson 7 — Activity 3: Using Semi-Colons and Colons


There are two more punctuation marks that can be used to keep your writing very clear. They are semi-colons and colons. Although their names sound similar, each mark serves a very different purpose.
These punctuation marks have different jobs in sentences.


Semi-colons look like this:  ;

Using one will allow you to add more variety to your sentences.

 There are only two situations when you will use a semi-colon:
  • It can be used to join two complete sentences together when the ideas are closely linked.
 



The space shuttle has taken off; it will be in space for many months.
Look at these examples:

  • The space shuttle was due to lift off on Thursday. On Wednesday a problem was discovered with the heat shield. (2 separate sentences)
  • The space shuttle was due to lift off on Thursday, but on Wednesday a problem was discovered with the heat shield. (joining with a conjunction)
  • The space shuttle was due to lift off on Thursday; on Wednesday a problem was discovered with the heat shield. (using a semi-colon)

Each of the above examples is correct. But using a semi-colon gives a more accurate sense of the event that has happened.


  • The other use for a semi-colon is to separate items in a list that already contains commas and needs more help to be clear to the reader.

For example:

  • The space shuttle could possibly land at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida; the Edwards Air Force Base, California; Spain; Gambia; or Morocco.
 
The purpose of its use in this example is to make it very clear where the different landing pads are for the space shuttle.



Now let's think about the colon.
(It looks like this : ).

The purpose of the colon is to introduce a list.

  • I want the following items for baking: butter, sugar, flour, milk, and eggs.

It can also be used to show that very important information or a definition will follow.

  • The votes are in: Tyler is the new Class President!

 

Here is something for you to think about. When you read, how often do you see a semi-colon or a colon? Even the best writers only use them occasionally, so don't get too carried away with them.
In this picture is everything I need: eggs, butter, sugar, flour, and milk.



Now that you have completed the activities on punctuation, click here for a game of Punctuation Paintball.






Go to the next page to try a Self-check Activity on semi-colons and colons.