Punctuation: Punctuation: Semi-Colons Semi-Colons and Colonsand Colons

Semi-ColonsSemi-Colons: Their most important role: Their most important role

Link two Link two independentindependent clauses clauses The evidence was convincingThe evidence was convincing;; neverthelessnevertheless,,

the jury found him innocent.the jury found him innocent. In this use, semi-colon may always be In this use, semi-colon may always be

replaced by a period. Use this test!replaced by a period. Use this test!

Semi-colons . . .Semi-colons . . .

Join independent clauses that either Join independent clauses that either dodo notnot have have a conjoining word a conjoining word oror dodo have a conjunctive have a conjunctive adverb (transitional word).adverb (transitional word). Without a conjoining word:Without a conjoining word:

• The evidence was convincingThe evidence was convincing;; the jury found him the jury found him innocent.innocent.

• Use this form only when the conceptual link is strong Use this form only when the conceptual link is strong enough between the two independent clauses that you enough between the two independent clauses that you need no linking word. need no linking word.

With a conjunctive adverb:With a conjunctive adverb:• The evidence was convincingThe evidence was convincing;; neverthelessnevertheless,, the jury the jury

found him innocent.found him innocent.

That’s two That’s two independentindependent clauses . . . clauses . . .

Semi-colon comes Semi-colon comes beforebefore the conjunctive the conjunctive adverb. Comma comes after the adverb.adverb. Comma comes after the adverb. Examples of these adverbs: Examples of these adverbs: finally, finally,

however, moreover, similarly, therefore, however, moreover, similarly, therefore, thus, neverthelessthus, nevertheless• incorrect: incorrect: The manager was late to the The manager was late to the

meetingmeeting,, however however the assistant was on time. the assistant was on time.• correct: correct: The manager was late to the The manager was late to the

meetingmeeting;; however however,, the assistant was on the assistant was on time.time.

ConjunctiveConjunctive adverbs are not the same as adverbs are not the same as subordinatingsubordinating adverbs! adverbs!

SubordinatingSubordinating wordswords link parts of a link parts of a sentence together by subordinating one of sentence together by subordinating one of the clauses (or turning it into a the clauses (or turning it into a dependentdependent clause):clause):

Examples: Examples: after, although, because, since, after, although, because, since, when, whilewhen, while

• incorrect: incorrect: The manager was late to the The manager was late to the meetingmeeting. Because. Because the plane was late.the plane was late.

• correct: correct: The manager was late to the The manager was late to the meeting meeting because because the plane was late.the plane was late.

This is a comma splice.This is a comma splice.

The doctor prescribed a different The doctor prescribed a different medicationmedication,, however it’s not helping. however it’s not helping.

How do we correct it?How do we correct it?

;

Semi-colons also . . . Semi-colons also . . .

Separate elements that contain interior Separate elements that contain interior commas or some visual complexity commas or some visual complexity (e.g., formulae):(e.g., formulae): I bought celeryI bought celery,, carrots carrots,, and beans and beans;; fish fish,,

chickenchicken, , and beefand beef;; and rice and potatoes. and rice and potatoes.

Colons: one Colons: one mainmain role role Colons introduce listsColons introduce lists::

Item a Item a Item bItem b

Colons can also link two main clauses Colons can also link two main clauses if the second restates, defines, or if the second restates, defines, or illustrates the first:illustrates the first: No one was surprised by her promotionNo one was surprised by her promotion: :

she was by far the best candidate.she was by far the best candidate.

Use a complete sentence to Use a complete sentence to introduce a list.introduce a list.

Do not use a colon between a verb Do not use a colon between a verb or preposition and its object:or preposition and its object: Wrong:Wrong: The criteria wereThe criteria were:: cost, cost,

quality, and service.quality, and service.

Right:Right: We used the following We used the following criteriacriteria: : cost, quality, and service.cost, quality, and service.

Punctuate these.Punctuate these.

1.1. Before the close of business please order the Before the close of business please order the following two boxes of staples a desk blotter following two boxes of staples a desk blotter and a ream of copier paper.and a ream of copier paper.

2.2. We can consider competing for that project but We can consider competing for that project but we already have too much work.we already have too much work.

3.3. No one was surprised by her promotion she No one was surprised by her promotion she was by far the best candidate.was by far the best candidate.

4.4. Cash flow is our most pressing problem Cash flow is our most pressing problem consequently Mr. Edwards will make it the consequently Mr. Edwards will make it the focus of his speech.focus of his speech.