Colons and Semicolons
Semicolon;
Main Clauses
PATTERN MC; MC. Use a semicolon to join main clauses that are closely related.
Example:
Mr. Doyin gave an amazing presentation; he was excellent.
Conjunctive Adverb (Transition Words)
PATTERN MC: ca, MC. If a conjunctive adverb (which is also known as a transition word) is used to connect two main clauses that express similar ideas, put a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb (ca) and a comma after.
Example:
Years of indulgence had spoiled her beyond recognition; however, Lady Constance recalled a time in Dorinda’s childhood when she had been a lovable child.
Items in a Series
Use semicolons to separate items in a series when the items contain internal commas.
Example:
Highborn women lamented when Troy, that noble city celebrated by Homer, fell through trickery; when Pyrrhus, ancient Greek ruler, seized King Priam by the beard; and when the Romans, ruthless and crazed, torched Carthage to the ground.
Colon:
List
PATTERN MC: list. Use a colon after a main clause to introduce a list when a phrase like for example is not included.
Example:
Robin Hood had two choices: run away or fight.
Explanation
PATTERN MC: explanation. Use a colon after a main clause to introduce an explanation when a phrase like for example is not included.
Example:
One other thing I ask: please accept this simple souvenir from me.
Quotation
PATTERN MC: quotation Use a colon when a complete though sets up a quotation.
Example:
The innkeeper answered him straightaway: “Sir, your friend left town at dawn.”
Titles with Subtitles
PATTERN Title: Subtitle Use a colon to separate a title from a subtitle
Example:
Charles Dickens wrote Oliver Twist: The Parish Boy’s Progress and A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas.
