revo
mad to live
HOW TO USE COLONS & SEMICOLONS PROPERLY
I've noticed that people often struggle with this so I took my lessons from Principles of Writing and wrote up a little guide!
DEFINING SOME TERMS
- Conjunctions (Joining words): and, but, or, yet, for, nor, so, after, although, as, as if, as long as, as though, because, before, even if, even though, if, if only, in order that, now that, once, rather than, since, so that, than, that, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, while
- Independent Clauses: also known as a simple sentence because they contain a predicate (statement about the subject) and a subject.
USING SEMICOLONS PROPERLY
JOINING CLOSELY RELATED INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
If the two clauses (sentences) are closely related and don't need a conjunction to signal the relationship.
Examples
- Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet is often described as the first true love story; Romeo and Juliet are the novel's star struck lovers.
- The quiet stretched on for hours; the crickets chirped.
- I drove the kids to church; my husband stayed home to clean the carpet.
- Love is blind; I can't see straight around him.
WITH A TRANSITIONAL PHRASE
Use a semi-colon to join independent clauses when the second clause is introduced by a conjunctive adverb or a transitional phrase.
Examples
- I tried to find a better topic to write my paper on; however, I couldn't think of anything.
- Many shopping centers have sales this weekend; as a result, the malls will be packed this weekend.
ITEMS IN A SERIES
Use a semi-colon to separate items in a series when one or more of the items contain internal commas.
Examples
- I have three activities in my planner today: a meeting with my Professor, to discuss my grades, the upcoming test, and this weeks material; a lunch date with my friends; and a trip to the gym to burn some calories.
- Some of my favorite movies are The Punisher, with Thomas Jane; The Last Samurai, with Tom Cruiz; and Ironman, with Robert Downey Jr.
USING COLONS PROPERLY
TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING
Use a colon to link a related example or explanation to an independent clause. The second clause (after the colon) should summarize the first.
Examples
- I'm guilty of violating a few of the Ten Commandments: murder and adultery.
- Love is like dying: it can be painful.
- After you have made your bed it;s time for the best part: nestling in and going to sleep.
- Lifting the covers, I found the source of the feeling; a spider under the covers.
Common mistakes
- World War Z, a popular novel can be found at: Borders.
This is not the proper way to use the colon because Borders isn't a clause. It doesn't have a subject and a statement about the subject. Also, a colon should not follow a verb (action word) or a preposition (ie. of, with, on, etc.)
BEFORE A LIST
Use a colon to introduce a list
Examples
- Generally, there are three types of forum users: lazy administrators, trolls, and loyal members.
- I only like four types of candy: Reese's, Hershey's, Skittles, & Three Musketeers.
DIRECT QUOTATIONS
Use a colon to introduce a direct quote when it follows an independent clause.
Examples
- In the words of Mary Sue: I have dead parents and it makes me sad.
- Hitler had this advice for the Jews: Die, and do it quickly.
THANKS FOR READING!
Hopefully this was helpful. I understand for some people this is bland and I'm not trying to be a grammar-nazi. Just something I use in my writing some people might enjoy playing around with. Cheers! Post if you have comments or additions! If you guys like writing improvement guides I may make more. Let me know!
Source: Norton Field Guide to Writing, and my personal knowledge
I love this!
