Colons and semicolons are two of the most misunderstood punctuation marks in written language. Although they may look similar, they have very distinct uses – and it’s important to know the difference for correct writing. In this post, we’ll describe when to use a colon vs. a semicolon and show you (with examples) how to use them in a sentence.
When to Use a Colon
The colon (:) is a punctuation mark used to introduce a list of items, details, or examples. For instance:
Only use a colon if the statement that precedes it is an independent clause that could stand on its own. Note that this means you should not use a colon between a verb or preposition and its object or after a phrase like such as. For example:
You can also use a colon to emphasize or draw attention to the preceding statement by introducing additional information that provides clarification, elaboration, or support for that statement. For example:
When to Use a Semicolon
A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark that is used to connect two closely related independent clauses within a single sentence. It’s a way to show a stronger connection between these clauses than a period would indicate, but it is not meant to take the place of a conjunction like and or but. For example:
A semicolon shouldn’t be used to link an independent clause with a dependent one (use a comma instead). For example:
You also shouldn’t use a semicolon to link two unrelated ideas: For example:
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You can use a semicolon to separate items in a list that already contains commas. This helps avoid confusion. For example:
But you don’t need to use one if the meaning is clear by using commas:
Semicolons can also be used when connecting two independent clauses with transitional words like however, therefore, consequently, nevertheless, moreover, etc. For example:
Note that you would never use a comma in this scenario, as commas cannot be used to join two independent clauses.
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