Semicolons
The semicolon has two purposes. One is to connect two (or more) sentences that seem very closely related, and the
other is to clarify the punctuation of a series of items that have their own internal commas.
You may have had some unhappy encounters with run-ons. This mistake usually results from the writer's sense that
the sentences involved in the problem are very closely related, and the full stop signaled by the period seems like
too much of a stop. Microsoft Word recommends you correct the error with a semicolon, and sometimes, these
run-ons can be fixed by substituting a semicolon for the comma.
But not always. Some writers go way overboard in sensing close relations between sentences. Well, yes, every
sentence in a document is related to every other--they ought to be! But they need to be reeeaaally closely related.
Also, there should be a rhythmic or stylistic reason why you are not using two separate sentences, a subordinate
clause, or a good conjunction. The semicolon should be used infrequently to add drama to your writing. If you use
it too much, it loses its power.
Transitional words, such as: also, as a result, besides, for example, furthermore, however, in addition, in fact,
instead, meanwhile, nevertheless, on the other hand, still, then, and therefore can be used in the middle of a
sentence if preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.
But semicolons should be used sparingly, like an expensive ingredient in a recipe!
Here are some examples:
During the second semester homework will increase; in addition, late
work will no longer be accepted.
The increasing cost of health care has led many part-time workers to do
without; they would have to choose between food and health insurance.
Her shock of brown hair, burning eyes and agitated hands announce her;
she is an unmistakable presence in a room full of people.
A common misuse of the semicolon is to plunk it down between two complete sentences that aren’t that closely
related. When Word suggests you put in a semicolon to correct a run-on, rewrite the sentence.
Problem:
John vacuumed the floor; Jean washed all of the dishes.
Revision:
John vacuumed the floor. Jean washed all of the dishes. OR EVEN
BETTER. While John vacuumed the floor, Jean washed all of the
dishes.
The other use of the semicolon is clarifying items in a series that have commas within them already:
The heart undergoes two cardiac cycle periods: diastole, when blood
enters the ventricles; and systole, when the ventricles contract and blood is
pumped out.
The new officers were Deborah Edwards, president; Evan Cheung, vicepresident; Amiri Baraka, treasurer; and Elizabeth O’Rourke, secretary.
Colons
A colon introduces a list that is not preceded by a verb. For example:
To make a kite, you need the following items: string, paper, sticks,
glue, and scissors.
The main engines of the Space Shuttle consist of six main components:
the external tank, the low-pressure turbopump, the high-pressure
turbopumps, the preburners, the combustion chamber, and the nozzle.
Hurricane size is expressed in three ways: the strength of the maximum
winds, the diameter of the hurricane-force winds, the diameter of the
gale-force winds, and the overall size the cyclone circulation.
After a verb you do not use the colon. For example:
The best students in class are Dave, Suejin, Evelyn and Ethan.
The Dash
The “em dash” is the mark of punctuation most of us think of when we hear the term "dash" in regard to a sentence.
It is significantly longer than a hyphen. We use the dash to create a strong break in the structure of a sentence.
Dashes can be used in pairs like parentheses—that is, to enclose a word, or a phrase, or a clause—or they can be
used alone to detach one end of a sentence from the main body. Dashes are particularly useful in a sentence that is
long and complex or in one that has a number of commas within it.
If your keyboard can't produce a dash, you will have to resort to a hyphen as a stand-in. American usage uses two
consecutive hyphens--like this. Microsoft Word will usually turn this into a long dash.
The dash has only one use: a pair of dashes separates a strong interruption from the rest of the sentence. (A strong
interruption violently disrupts the flow of the sentence.)
An honest politician--if such a creature exists--would never agree to
such a plan.
The destruction of Picasso’s painting Guernica--and there is no doubt
that this destruction was deliberate--horrified the world.
If the strong interruption comes at the end of the sentence, then of course only one dash is used:
There was no other way--or was there?
John, do you suppose you could--oh, never mind; I'll do it.
Sources
McMurray, David A., “Semicolons.” Online Technical Writing: Common Grammar, Usage, and Spelling Problems. Thomson
Learning, Heinle Publishers. May 30, 2003. <http://www.io.com/~hcexres/tcm1603/acchtml/gram1.html>.
“Semicolon Use.” Academic Center Tutoring and Testing at the University of Houston, Victoria. April 2003. University of
Houston. May 30, 2003. <http://www.vic.uh.edu/ac/grammar/semicolon.html>.
Trask, Larry, “The Dash.” Guide to Punctuation. 1997. May 30, 2003.
http://www.cogs.susx.ac.uk/local/doc/punctuation/node00.html.
Name ____________________________ per. _____ Date ________
Punctuation PreQuiz
Punctuate and capitalize the following sentences using the rules you know. Do not
rewrite or modify the order of the sentences.
1. Because the party began at noon we dropped Tom Dave and Ellen off at the store they
wanted to shop for a present
2. Don’t forget to bring the markers the glue stick the scissors and the poster board for the
project
3. The title if indeed the poem had one has escaped me.
4. Copy machines don't always work like they should nonetheless we rely heavily upon
them when they are functioning
5. NASA wants to design a new space program they don't have the funding
6. Although I plan to visit my friends in Jacksonville Florida Savannah Georgia and
Charleston South Carolina this summer I may not be able to stay very long
7. The parents enjoy watching the game moreover they enjoy the half-time show.
8. She has two cars a sporty one and one that gets good gas mileage
Punctuate, capitalize and rewrite the following sentences, if necessary.
9. Lawyers reviewed the case for problems they didn't find any
10. We ordered Time Newsweek The Economist they had different views on the current
issues
11. Some members of my second grade T-Ball team Stan first base Ellen second base Luis
shortstop and Sadako center field are still my best friends
12. The room looks darker than usual it needs more lamps