Using Semi-Colons and Colons
Correctly
To show that you are able to use a variety of
punctuation, you must be able to use these two little gems accurately. There
are subtle differences between the ways in which they can be used.
The semi-colon (;)
Semi-colons are used to separate two main clauses (separate sentences) that make sense on their own.
They can be used instead of a full stop, if you feel that the sentences are
very linked together in their meaning. They are often used as a stylistic device
to replace a connective (because the writer chooses not to use a connective).
They cannot replace a comma, and commas cannot go between sentences (this is
called a comma splice… not good!)
See the examples below:
Alem’s mother shuddered with
fear; her voice trembled as she spoke.
In this example, the mother’s voice is trembling because
of the fear mentioned in the first sentence. A full stop would have been
grammatically correct, but the semi-colon suggests to the reader that there is
a link between the trembling and the fear. A comma would have been incorrect.
Ron and Hermione were a very
good audience; they gasped in all the right places and, when Harry told them
what was under Quirrell’s turban, Hermione screamed out loud.
This is a good example of where a semi-colon has replaced
a connective. What connective words or phrases could you have used
instead?__________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Again, a commas would be incorrect
The Colon (:)
The colon has one main use – it is used to introduce
something. Think of it as a little sound going “ta da!”
It can be used to introduce:
1. An
example or list of examples. See the colon in the line above!
2. A
list. You probably already know this one.
a.
We can see many things in the sky at
night: the moon, stars, planets, comets, planes and even satellites.
3. Speech.
a.
John whispered in my ear: "Have you
seen Andrea?"
4. An explanation. This is the one that most
often confuses people. Think of the colon as a little person (with a dot
on their head) standing proudly and announcing “Hang on… I’m about to explain
it to you…”
a.
Three
boys entered and Harry recognised the middle one at once: it was the pale boy
from Madam Malkin’s robe shop.
b. Malfoy
swaggered forward when his name was called and got his wish at once: the hat
had barely touched his head when it screamed, ‘SLYTHERIN!’
JK Rowling is particularly fond of her colons. Notice in
example a. the colon is shouting “I’m about to explain to you who it was…!” and
in example b. it was shouting “I’m about to explain to you what the wish was…!”
Important note: There must be two main clauses either
side of a semi-colon. They must make sense on their own with a full stop
between instead. With a colon, however, the second clause may not be a compete
sentence: it may be a word, a phrase, a clause or a long sentence.
TASK:
1. Answer
the following questions in your exercise books, using full sentences for your
answers.
a. What
could you use instead of a semi-colon in your writing?
b. What
type of clause must go either side of a semi-colon?
c. Are
there times when a semi-colon is necessary or is their use down to the writer’s
choice?
d. What
does a colon signal to the reader?
e. Name 4 things that a colon can introduce.
2. For
each of the sentences below, decide whether the gap needs filling with a comma,
full-stop, semi-colon or colon.
a. Clare
is a lovely girl _______ gentle and kind.
b. Clare
is a lovely girl _______ a smashing cook and a thoughtful parent.
c. Clare
is a lovely girl _______ she knows just what to say in a crisis.
d. Clare
is a lovely girl _______ I think I will have to marry her.
3.
Re-write the
following sentences, using accurate punctuation. Write as many correct versions
as you can for each example. The first one has been done as an example.
The match was abandoned rain poured down.
The match was abandoned. Rain poured down.
The match was abandoned as rain
poured down.
The match was abandoned; rain poured
down.
a) The
girl was obsessed with television there was no wonder her parents were worried.
b) As
I turned round, I heard a loud thump the cat had upset the goldfish bowl.
c) The
hill was covered in wild flowers it was a beautiful sight.
d) The
dog snarling and growling snapped at me.
4. *
Optional
task. Are you up to the challenge? Write the opening paragraph of story. It
does not matter what the story is about but you must try to use all of the
punctuation marks below at least once each.
. , ? ! ‘ “” () : ;
