8YNE Semi-colon and colon practice 23/2/15

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.

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