semicolons
1. Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related. Typically, the second independent clause will support or contrast with the first independent clause.
EXAMPLES:
If you like Bruce Springsteen, you will like the movie Blinded by the Light; the movie chronicles a young boy’s journey of self-discovery through Springsteen’s music. [The second independent clause supports the first one.]
Bend it Like Beckham uses soccer as a vehicle to depict challenges of assimilating into a new culture; Blinded by the Light, based on a true story, uses the music of Bruce Springsteen to delve into other challenges of assimilation. [The second independent clause contrasts the first one.]
2. If the two independent clauses are not closely related, do not join them with a semicolon.
INCORRECT Springsteen’s breakthrough album, Born to Run, was released in 1975; Springsteen also found success as a songwriter in that era. [Whlle both clauses pertain to Springsteen, the second independent clause neither supports nor contrasts with the first clause. The two independent clauses need to have a closer relationship.]
CORRECT Springsteen’s breakthrough album, Born to Run, was released in 1975; the album received widespread acclaim and has since been recognized as one of the best albums in rock-and-roll history. [The second independent clause elaborates on the point made in the first clause.]
3. You can also join two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb (adverbial conjunction) or a transitional expression. In this scenario, use a semicolon in front of the conjunctive adverb or transition, and use a comma after it. To clarify the relationships between the clauses, use these conjunctive adverbs:
EXAMPLES:
If you like Bruce Springsteen, you will like the movie Blinded by the Light; the movie chronicles a young boy’s journey of self-discovery through Springsteen’s music. [The second independent clause supports the first one.]
Bend it Like Beckham uses soccer as a vehicle to depict challenges of assimilating into a new culture; Blinded by the Light, based on a true story, uses the music of Bruce Springsteen to delve into other challenges of assimilation. [The second independent clause contrasts the first one.]
2. If the two independent clauses are not closely related, do not join them with a semicolon.
INCORRECT Springsteen’s breakthrough album, Born to Run, was released in 1975; Springsteen also found success as a songwriter in that era. [Whlle both clauses pertain to Springsteen, the second independent clause neither supports nor contrasts with the first clause. The two independent clauses need to have a closer relationship.]
CORRECT Springsteen’s breakthrough album, Born to Run, was released in 1975; the album received widespread acclaim and has since been recognized as one of the best albums in rock-and-roll history. [The second independent clause elaborates on the point made in the first clause.]
3. You can also join two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb (adverbial conjunction) or a transitional expression. In this scenario, use a semicolon in front of the conjunctive adverb or transition, and use a comma after it. To clarify the relationships between the clauses, use these conjunctive adverbs:
Or use these transitional words:
EXAMPLE:
Springsteen is a New Jersey boy; in fact, he was born at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey.
4. If the two independent clauses already contain numerous commas, you may use a semicolon in front of the coordinating conjunction for clarity.
CONFUSING Born in the U.S.A., which was released in 1984, became one of the best-selling movies of all time, and the album featured the top ten hits of “Dancing in the Dark,” “Cover Me,” “Born in the U.S.A.,” “I’m on Fire,” “Glory Days,” “I’m Goin’ Down,” and “My Hometown.”
BETTER Born in the U.S.A., which was released in 1984, became one of the best-selling movies of all time; and the album featured the top ten hits of “Dancing in the Dark,” “Cover Me,” “Born in the U.S.A.,” “I’m on Fire,” “Glory Days,” “I’m Goin’ Down,” and “My Hometown.”
5. Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items already contain commas.
EXAMPLE:
Bruce Springsteen has homes in Los Angeles, California; Rumson, New Jersey; Colts Neck, New Jersey; and Wellington, Florida.
Springsteen is a New Jersey boy; in fact, he was born at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey.
4. If the two independent clauses already contain numerous commas, you may use a semicolon in front of the coordinating conjunction for clarity.
CONFUSING Born in the U.S.A., which was released in 1984, became one of the best-selling movies of all time, and the album featured the top ten hits of “Dancing in the Dark,” “Cover Me,” “Born in the U.S.A.,” “I’m on Fire,” “Glory Days,” “I’m Goin’ Down,” and “My Hometown.”
BETTER Born in the U.S.A., which was released in 1984, became one of the best-selling movies of all time; and the album featured the top ten hits of “Dancing in the Dark,” “Cover Me,” “Born in the U.S.A.,” “I’m on Fire,” “Glory Days,” “I’m Goin’ Down,” and “My Hometown.”
5. Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items already contain commas.
EXAMPLE:
Bruce Springsteen has homes in Los Angeles, California; Rumson, New Jersey; Colts Neck, New Jersey; and Wellington, Florida.
colons
6. Use a colon to direct attention to a list of items that follow. Writers often introduce these lists with the expressions as follows, the following, these, or those.
EXAMPLE: Bruce Springsteen has many celebrity fans: Jimmy Fallon, Tom Hanks, Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller, and Lady Gaga.
7. Avoid using a colon after a transitive verb, a linking verb, or a preposition. In other words, the list should not function as a complement or object of a preposition in the sentence.
INCORRECT Bruce Springsteen sang: ”Backstreets,” “Rosalita,” and “Pink Cadillac.” [Do not have a verb in front of the colon.]
CORRECT Bruce Springsteen sang the following songs: ”Backstreets,” “Rosalita,” and “Pink Cadillac.” [Fixed by adding a direct object (noun) in front of the colon.]
INCORRECT Springsteen has sung duets with: Michael Stipe, Paul McCartney, and Eddie Vedder. [Do not have a preposition in front of the colon.]
CORRECT Springsteen has sung duets with these recording artists: Michael Stipe, Paul McCartney, and Eddie Vedder. [Fixed by adding an object of a preposition in front of the colon.]
8. Use a colon before a formal or lengthy quotation.
COMMA Keith Richards said, “Music is a language that doesn’t speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it’s in the bones, it’s in the bones.”
COLON Keith Richards said this about the art form: “Music is a language that doesn’t speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it’s in the bones, it’s in the bones.”
9. Use a colon between independent clauses when the first clause is a general statement and the second clause is a specific example. Capitalize the first word after the colon.
EXAMPLE:
Music speaks for us: It expresses emotions when words fail.
10. Use a colon between the hour and the minute.
EXAMPLES: 7:34 A.M. 2:37 in the afternoon
11. Use a colon between a Biblical chapter and verse.
EXAMPLES: Proverbs 17:17 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
12. Use a colon between a title and subtitle.
EXAMPLES:
Legends, Icons, & Rebels: Music that Changed the World
Uncommon People: The Rise and Fall of the Rock Stars
13. Use a colon on signs to direct the eyes to something important.
EXAMPLES:
Danger: No Trespassing
Notice: Employees Must Wash Hands
14. Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter.
EXAMPLES:
Dear Editor:
Dear Human Resources Manager:
Dear Mr. Springsteen:
Dear Sir or Madam:
To Whom It May Concern:
15. Use a comma after the salutation of a personal letter.
EXAMPLE: Dear Bruce,
EXAMPLE: Bruce Springsteen has many celebrity fans: Jimmy Fallon, Tom Hanks, Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller, and Lady Gaga.
7. Avoid using a colon after a transitive verb, a linking verb, or a preposition. In other words, the list should not function as a complement or object of a preposition in the sentence.
INCORRECT Bruce Springsteen sang: ”Backstreets,” “Rosalita,” and “Pink Cadillac.” [Do not have a verb in front of the colon.]
CORRECT Bruce Springsteen sang the following songs: ”Backstreets,” “Rosalita,” and “Pink Cadillac.” [Fixed by adding a direct object (noun) in front of the colon.]
INCORRECT Springsteen has sung duets with: Michael Stipe, Paul McCartney, and Eddie Vedder. [Do not have a preposition in front of the colon.]
CORRECT Springsteen has sung duets with these recording artists: Michael Stipe, Paul McCartney, and Eddie Vedder. [Fixed by adding an object of a preposition in front of the colon.]
8. Use a colon before a formal or lengthy quotation.
COMMA Keith Richards said, “Music is a language that doesn’t speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it’s in the bones, it’s in the bones.”
COLON Keith Richards said this about the art form: “Music is a language that doesn’t speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it’s in the bones, it’s in the bones.”
9. Use a colon between independent clauses when the first clause is a general statement and the second clause is a specific example. Capitalize the first word after the colon.
EXAMPLE:
Music speaks for us: It expresses emotions when words fail.
10. Use a colon between the hour and the minute.
EXAMPLES: 7:34 A.M. 2:37 in the afternoon
11. Use a colon between a Biblical chapter and verse.
EXAMPLES: Proverbs 17:17 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
12. Use a colon between a title and subtitle.
EXAMPLES:
Legends, Icons, & Rebels: Music that Changed the World
Uncommon People: The Rise and Fall of the Rock Stars
13. Use a colon on signs to direct the eyes to something important.
EXAMPLES:
Danger: No Trespassing
Notice: Employees Must Wash Hands
14. Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter.
EXAMPLES:
Dear Editor:
Dear Human Resources Manager:
Dear Mr. Springsteen:
Dear Sir or Madam:
To Whom It May Concern:
15. Use a comma after the salutation of a personal letter.
EXAMPLE: Dear Bruce,