“My grandpa had colon cancer and needed surgery; now he only has a semicolon.”

Colons

A colon looks like thisà :  Colons must be preceded by an independent clause (a complete sentence).  A verb must never immediately precede a colon. The function of a colon is to direct the reader’s attention to what appears after it.  Generally, colons are used in four ways:

1. to lead in to a series or list.  I like being a college student for three reasons: June, July, and August.

2.      to lead in to a long quotation.  The CSB/SJU policy on plagiarism is clear: “Plagiarism is the act of appropriating and using the ideas, writings, or works of original expressions of another person as one's own without giving credit to the person who created the work. This may encompass portions of a work or an entire work. Blah blah blah blah blah…”

3. titles.  In titles, the colon need not be preceded by an independent clause.  Blowin’ in the Wind: A Pot Smoker’s Guide to folk music.

Semicolons
A semicolon looks like thisà ;  Semicolons are used to separate two independent clauses or to separate long or complicated items of a series or list.  Generally, semicolons are used in two ways:

1. to separate two closely related,  independent clauses of equal importance.  I’m going to go on welfare when I graduate from college; many of my classmates are planning to do the same thing.
   • Semicolons aren’t interchangeable with commas; to take the place of a semicolon, a comma must be followed by a coordinating conjunction (see comma handout).
   • When two independent clauses are joined by a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover), a semicolon or period must be used.  Many grammar rules are illogical; however, professors still require that student follow them. 
2. to separate items in a complex series.
   • when items in a series have internal commas.  Some Hollywood heartthrobs of today include Brad Pitt, he of the cute dimples; George Clooney, the tall, dark and handsome hero of The Perfect Storm; and Elijah Wood, who looks like a  twelve year-old.
   • items in a scholarly series.  Though he originally considered sculpture to be the one true art, Michelangelo also accomplished amazing things in three other genres: (1) painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; (2) designing the Dome of Saint Peter; and (3) writing several beautiful sonnets.

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The Semicolon (;) is primarily used to express a close, two-way connection between two sentences; however, it also has a variety of other uses.  Generally, semicolons can be used in six ways:

 

1. Semicolons link two closely related independent clauses.  These clauses should be roughly equivalent in form, length, and importance.  Several Writing Center tutors are leaving after this year; others will be returning next fall.

2. The semicolon is used when a conjunctive adverb (e.g. however, therefore, moreover) links the two clause. Several Writing Center tutors are graduating this year; however, others will be returning next fall.

3. A semicolon can be used in place of the comma before a coordinating conjunction (e.g. and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to avoid confusion when the sentence contains many commas.  Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich, Bob Dole, and Phil Gramm are a bunch of bourgeois, conservative, capitalist pigs; and they should all be forced to live on a minimum wage salary for a year, buy groceries with food stamps, ride the bus to work, and try to provide day-care for two children.

4. Items in a simple series are separated by semicolons if the items contained internal commas.  The Writing Center loses several experienced tutors this year, including Karen Ernst, Writing Center still-life artist; Tony Silva, booking agent extraordinaire; Andrea Williams, classical literature specialist; and Glen Tautges, ellipses engineer.

5. The semicolon is used between items in a scholarly series.  Critics and scholars concur that Jane Austen’s literary achievements rest on three uniquely wrought capacities: (1) her profoundly moral analysis of human foibles; (2) her keenly perceptive analysis of the social caste system of nineteenth-century England; and (3) her delicately pervasive wit and irony.

6. Semicolons are also used in elliptical constructions.  This university’s campus is beautiful; its teaching staff excellent; and its food generally non-lethal.

Below are some examples and explanations of common misuses of the semi-colon.  The correct punctuation is in parentheses.

1. Between a subordinate clause and the rest of the sentence.  Unless you brush your teeth within ten or fifteen minutes after eating;(,) brushing does almost no good.

2. Between an appositive and the word it refers to.  Another delicious dish is the chef’s special;(,) a roasted duck rubbed with spices and stuffed with wild rice.

3. To introduce a list.  Some of my favorite film stars have home pages on the Web;(:) John Travolta, Susan Sarandon, Brad Pitt, and Emma Thompson.

4. Between independent clauses joined by AND, BUT, OR, NOR, FOR, SO, or YET.  Five of the applicants had worked with spreadsheets; (,) but only one was familiar with database management.

Exceptions:  If at least one of the independent clauses contains internal punctuation, you may use a semicolon even though the clauses are joined with a coordinating conjunction, as discussed earlier.