USE A SEMICOLON

1. To separate independent clauses that are not joined by a coordinating conjunction
   • I understand how to use the comma; the semicolon I have not yet mastered.
2. To separate independent clauses connected by a conjunctive adverb
   • He took great care with his work; therefore, he was very successful.
3. To combine two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction if either or both of the clauses contain other internal punctuation
   • Success in college, some maintain, requires intelligence, industry, and perseverance; but others, fewer in number, assert that only personality is important.
4. To separate items in a series when each item has internal punctuation
   • I bought an old, dilapidated chair; a table, which was in beautiful condition; and a new, ugly white rug.
   • Call one of the mortgage offices for more information: Florida, 1-800-552-2923; Georgia and Alabama, 1-800-205-5509; Mississippi, (209)878-6449; and Louisiana, 1-800-323-3366.
5. To separate individual items listed vertically
   • To help us decide which programs to include in the next publication on curriculum development, we need the following current information:
   1. background information on the development of your program;
   2. philosophy behind your program;
   3. descriptive literature on your current activities;
   4. course syllabi; and
   5. faculty development in this area.

DO NOT USE A SEMICOLON

1. To separate a dependent and an independent clause

   Incorrect:

   You should not make such statements; although they are correct.

2. To separate an appositive phrase or clause from a sentence

   Incorrect:

   His immediate aim in life is centered around two things; becoming an engineer and learning to fly an airplane.

3. To precede an explanation or summary of the first clause

   Although the sentence below is correctly punctuated, the use of the semicolon provides a miscue, suggesting that the second clause is merely an extension, not an explanation, of the first clause. The colon provides a better cue.

   Weak:

   The first week of camping was wonderful; we lived in the cabins instead of tents.

   Better:

   The first week of camping was wonderful: we lived in cabins instead of tents.

4. To substitute for a comma

   Incorrect:

   My roommate also likes sports; particularly football, basketball, and baseball.

5. To set off other types of phrases or clauses from a sentence

   Incorrect:

   Being of a cynical mind; I should ask for a recount of the ballots.

   Incorrect:

   The next meeting of the club has been postponed two weeks; inasmuch as both the president and vice president are out of town.

   Note:

   The semicolon is not a terminal mark of punctuation; therefore, it should not be followed by a capital letter unless the first word in the second clause ordinarily requires capitalization.

The colon gives the reader a different cue from the semicolon--it tells the reader to look ahead and directs his attention to what follows.

USE THE COLON

1. To introduce a list (One item may constitute a list.)

   • I hate this one course: English.
   • Three plays by William Shakespeare will be presented in repertory this summer at The University of West Florida: Hamlet, Macbeth, and Othello.

2. To introduce a list preceded by as follows or the following

   • The reasons he cited for his success are as follows: integrity, industry, and pleasant disposition.

3. To separate two independent clauses, especially when the second clause is a summary or explanation of the first one

   • All of my high school teachers said one thing in particular: college is going to be difficult.

4. To introduce a word or word group which is a restatement, explanation, or summary of the first sentence

   • These two things he loved: an honest man and a beautiful woman.

5. To introduce a formal appositive

   • I am positive there is one appeal which you can't overlook: money.

6. To separate the introductory words from a quotation which follows, if the quotation is formal, long, or paragraphed separately

   • The actor then stated: "I would rather be able adequately to play the part of Hamlet than to perform a miraculous operation, deliver a great lecture, or build a magnificent skyscraper."

Note:

The colon should be used only after statements which are grammatically complete.

DO NOT USE A COLON

1. After a linking verb even though the verb precedes a list

   Incorrect:

   The high school I attended was: old, centrally located, and small.

2. After a preposition even though it may precede a list

   Incorrect:

   The University Theater will present the 1984 Playwright's Repertory Festival, featuring rotating performances of: Major Barbara, You Never Can Tell, and Heartbreak House.

3. Interchangeably with the dash

   Incorrect:

   Mathematics, German, English: These gave me the greatest difficulty of all my studies.

   Note:

   Information preceding the colon should be a complete sentence regardless of the explanatory information following the clause.

4. Before the word/words for example, namely, that is, or for instance even though these words may be introducing a list

   Incorrect:

   We agreed to the plan: namely, to give him a surprise party.

   Incorrect:

   There are a number of well-known African-American female writers: for example, Nikki Giovanni, Phyllis Wheatley, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou.