Often colons and semicolons are incorrectly used interchangeably. A semicolon has two main uses: to join closely related independent clauses, and as a mega-comma of sorts. We also have a video explaining how to use semicolons if you would prefer to learn about the topic that way. A semicolon is used to bring two independent clauses together. Simply put, an independent clause also called a main clause is a standalone sentence.
It expresses a complete thought and contains a subject and predicate. This is true for correct semicolon usage too. However, when using a semicolon, the part after the punctuation mark also needs to be able to function as a standalone sentence. A semicolon is used to bring two related sentences together to accentuate their connectedness. The two clauses in that sentence are separated by a semicolon and could be sentences on their own if you put a period between them instead: I have a big test tomorrow.
I can't go out tonight. Semicolons Create Variety One reason you might choose to use a semicolon instead of a period is if you wanted to add variety to your sentence structure; for example, you might use a semicolon if you thought you had too many short, choppy sentences in a row.
Semicolons Emphasize Relatedness Another reason to use a semicolon is to draw attention to how related your two clauses are. The semicolon in our example sentence highlights that the reason you can't go out tonight is that you have a big test tomorrow. I can't think of a single reason why English being fifth period would mean you can't go out tonight.
If you want to use a coordinating conjunction, you'd write it like this: I have a big test tomorrow, so I can't go out tonight. Nevertheless, there are a couple of instances where it's OK to use a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction. Semicolons Can Join Complex Clauses with a Coordinating Conjunction First, if you have a long sentence with multiple independent clauses, and some of those clauses contain internal punctuation such as a comma , you can use a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction to make the separation between clauses more clear.
Here's an example: If you want me to go out tonight, you need to help me with my homework first; and if you say no, I'll know that you don't really care about going out. Rule to Remember Use a semicolon to replace a comma when you use a coordinating conjunction to link independent clauses that already contain commas.
In this example, using a semicolon makes it easier to read the two independent clauses on either side of the coordinating conjunction: Correct: My dog is sick. She won't eat, run around, or jump; nor will she go for a walk with me. Here is another example where semicolons improve readability: Correct: Some classes require students to write essays, research papers, or reports; but others focus more on group projects. Confusing: Angela loves many breeds of dogs including small dogs, such as terriers and beagles, medium dogs, such as border collies and cocker spaniels, and large dogs, such as Great Danes and mastiffs.
Rule to Remember Use semicolons to replace commas when individual items in a series are long or contain commas. Using semicolons between the lengthy elements helps the reader understand the separation, as shown in the example below: Preferred: Angela loves many breeds of dogs including small dogs, such as terriers and beagles; medium dogs, such as border collies and cocker spaniels; and large dogs, such as Great Danes and mastiffs.
This assignment is extra credit only; but we still need to hand it in. This assignment is extra credit only, but we still need to hand it in. This assignment is extra credit only; however, we still need to hand it in.
John finished all his homework, but Kathleen did not finish hers. Kathleen worked for many hours on all her homework; nevertheless, she was unable to finish all of it. Tony finished reading three novels this week; in contrast, Joan finished only one novel. My dog is sick. Example: After eighty years of dreaming, the elderly man realized it was time to finally revisit the land of his youth—Ireland. Two dashes can emphasize material in the middle of a sentence.
Some style and grammar guides even permit you to write a complete sentence within the dashes. Example: Everything I saw in my new neighborhood—from the graceful elm trees to the stately brick buildings—reminded me of my alma mater.
Example complete sentence : The students—they were each over the age of eighteen—lined up in the streets to vote for the presidential candidates. Two dashes can emphasize a modifier. Words or phrases that describe a noun can be set off with dashes if you wish to emphasize them.
To indicate sentence introductions or conclusions. You can sometimes use a dash to help readers see that certain words are meant as an introduction or conclusion to your sentence. Example: Books, paper, pencils—many students lacked even the simplest tools for learning in nineteenth-century America.
Example: To improve their health, Americans should critically examine the foods that they eat—fast food, fatty fried foods, junk food, and sugary snacks. But when the phrase itself already contains one or more commas, dashes can help readers understand the sentence.
Slightly confusing example with commas: Even the simplest tasks, washing, dressing, and going to work, were nearly impossible after I broke my leg. Better example with dashes: Even the simplest tasks—washing, dressing, and going to work—were nearly impossible after I broke my leg.
To break up dialogue. In written dialogue, if a speaker suddenly or abruptly stops speaking, hesitates in speech, or is cut off by another speaker, a dash can indicate the pause or interruption. We hope that this handout has helped you better understand colons, semicolons, and dashes! For more information about punctuation, be sure to check out our handout on commas.
You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Make a Gift.
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