When I learnt English grammar rules, I think semicolons and colons took me the longest to fully understand. But honestly, using them makes writing 1, a lot easier to do; and 2, a lot easier to comprehend.
Things to know:
Clause, a part of a sentence with a subject and a verb.
Coordinating conjunctions, words that connect two clauses. For (meaning because), and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Also called FANBOYS.
When to Use Colons
Colons are often used in a sentence that contains a list of things or to present something.
Here are some ingredients you'll need: eggs, flour, milk, butter, and vanilla extract.
Here she is: the star of the show.
They can also be used before a quote, or to show dialogue in a script.
As Franklin D. Roosevelt said: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
Veronica Sowyer: What's your damage, Heather?
Colons are also used to show emphasis or amplify a clause.
She had one true love: music.
Reading is makes me happy: reading in the morning fills me with a joy that makes my entire day better already.
And finally, they're used to clarify titles, as well.
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
More rules:
Don't use colons after incomplete sentences
❌️ His favourite players are: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Chris Paul. This is incorrect because "His favourite players are" is a dependent clause and wouldn't be able to be used on its own.
✅️ Those were his favourite players: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Chris Paul. This is correct because "Those were his favourite players" is an independent clause and can be used on its own without the list of players.
Don't capitalize the first word of the clause after the colon unless it is a proper noun
❌️ That was their favourite place to go: the park. This is incorrect because "the park" is not a proper noun since it isn't the name of a specific place.
✅️ That was their favourite place to go: Dodge Park. This is correct because Dodge Park is a specific place, whereas using "the park" is a general term.
Only use colons to connect related sentences
❌️ I need to go to the store soon: winter is cold here. This is incorrect because there is no clear or direct correlation between these clauses.
✅️ I need to get a good coat: winter is cold here. This is correct because it's clear that these clauses are related.
Don't use a colon where a semicolon should be
❌️ The TV is next to the bookcase: there are two end tables next to the couch. This is incorrect because the second clause does not explain, emphasize, or answer the first.
✅️ The TV is next to the bookcase; there are two end tables next to the couch. This is correct because the semicolon could be replaced by a coordinating conjunction and the sentence would still be correct.
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When to Use Semicolons
Semicolons can be used in place of coordinating conjunctions, or FANBOYS: for (meaning because), and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
[With the conjunction: I have to scrape the frost off my car windows, or I won't be able to see otherwise.]
I have to scrape the frost off my car windows; I won't be able to see otherwise.
They're also used in place of commas where too many commas would be confusing.
[With only commas: The members in the band are Stacy, the lead singer, Matthew, the bass player, Isla, the pianist, and Rylan, the drummer.]
The members in the band are Stacy, the lead singer; Matthew, the bass player; Isla, the pianist; and Rylan, the drummer.
You can also use semicolons to connect a sentence with a subordinating conjunction [however, then, besides, finally, etc.].
She loved swimming; however, she couldn't due to her broken leg.
More Rules:
Don't use semicolons instead of commas in simple sentences
❌️ I love my cat; but he drives me crazy. This is incorrect because "but" is not a subordinating conjunction and the second clause is dependent.
✅️ I love my cat, but he drives me crazy.
Don't use commas instead of semicolons to connect two independent clauses
❌️ My parents are the best, they let me go out whenever I want. This is incorrect because both of these clauses are independent and a comma shouldn't be used to combine them.
✅️ My parents are the best; they let me go out whenever I want.
I hope this helps, and feel free to ask questions!
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