Mechanics: Semicolons, Colons, & Hyphens

1. Mechanics: Semicolons, Colons, & Hyphens

2. Using Semicolons • Semicolons separate two clauses that could have been written as two separate sentences. • Semicolons, which create a pause stronger than that of a comma but not as strong as the full pause of a period, show close connections between related ideas. • Example: Please put in a trash can; the garbage collector will be here in the morning.

3. Using Semicolons: Linking Independent Clauses • Though a comma and a coordinating conjunction often join independent clauses, semicolons provide writers with subtler ways of signaling closely related clauses. • The clause following a semicolon often restates an idea expressed in the first clause; it sometimes expands on or presents a contrast to the first. • Example:“Immigration acts were passed; newcomers had to prove, besides moral correctness and financial solvency, their ability to read.”—Mary Gorden, “More Than Just a Shrine”

4. Using Semicolons • If two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction contain commas, you may use a semicolon instead of a comma before the conjunction to make the sentence easier to read. • Example: “Every year, whether the Republican or the Democratic party is in office, more and more power drains away from the individual to feed vast reservoirs in far-off places; and we have less and less say about the shape of events which shape our future.”—William F. Buckley Jr., “Why Don’t We Complain?”

5. Using Semicolons: Linking Independent Clauses Joined by Conjunctive Adverbs & Transitions • A semicolon—not a comma—should link independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb such as however or therefore; or a transition such as a result or for example. • Example: “The circus comes as close to being the world in microcosm as anything I know; in a way, it puts all the rest of show business in the shade.”—E.B. White, “The Ring of Time”

6. Using Semicolons: Separating Items in a Series Containing Other Punctuation • Commas separate items in a series; however, when the items themselves contain commas or other punctuation, semicolons make the sentence clearer. • Example: Anthropology encompasses archaeology, the study of ancient civilizations through artifacts; linguistics, the study of the structure and development of language; and cultural anthropology, the study of language, customs, and behavior.”

7. Using Semicolons: Misused Semicolons • Use a comma, not a semicolon, to separate an independent clause from a dependent clause or phrase. • Example: The police found fingerprints, which they used to identify the thief. • Example: The new system would encourage students to register for courses online, thus streamlining registration.

8. Using Semicolons to Fix Comma Splices • Remember, if the ideas of the two clauses are closely related and you want to give them equal emphasis, you can link them with a semicolon. • Example: • This photograph is not at all realistic; it uses dreamlike images to convey its message. • Many developing countries have very high birthrates;therefore, most of their citizens are young.

9. Using Semicolons: Misused Semicolons • Use a colon, not a semicolon, to introduce a series or list. • Example: The tour includes the following bands: Dropkick Murpheys, Rise Against, Blink 182, and Local Natives.

10. Semicolon Exercise 49.2 • It is raining outside I will bring my umbrella with me. • She doesn't understand algebra therefore, she will probably not pass the math final. • You should always choose a college according to whether you believe you'll be happy you're the one who will be attending for four years. • There is a lot of financial aid around you just have to know where to look for it.

11. Using Colons • Use a colon to introduce an explanation, an example, an appositive, a series, a list, or a quotation. • Example: “At the baby’s one-month birthday party, Ah Po gave him the Four Valuable Things: ink, inkslab, paper, and brush.”—Maxine Hong Kingston, China Men

12. Using Colons • Use a colon rather than a comma to introduce a quotation when the lead-in is a complete sentence on its own. • Example: The State of the Union address contained one surprising statement: “America is addicted to oil.”

13. Using Colons • Colons are also used after salutations in formal letters; with numbers indicating hours, minutes, and seconds; with ratios; with biblical chapters and verses; with titles and subtitles; and in bibliographic entries. • Examples: • Dear Dr. Nuss: • 4:59 PM • The Joy of Insight: Passions of a Physicist • Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010

14. Using Colons: Misused Colons • Do NOT put a colon between a verb and its object or complement (unless the object is a quotation), between a preposition and its object, or after such expressions such as, especially, and including. • Examples: • Some natural fibers are: cotton, wool, silk, and linen. • In poetry, additional power may come from devices such as: simile, metaphor, and alliteration.

15. Exercise 49.3 • In the following items, insert a colon in any sentence that needs one and delete any unnecessary colons. Some sentences may be correct as written. • Example: Images:My Life in Film includes revealing material written by Ingmar Bergman.

16. Exercise 49.3 • After discussing the case study, the class reached one main conclusion in any business, the most important asset is the customer. • Another example is taken from Psalm 139 16. • Roberto tried to make healthier choices, such as: eating organic food, walking to work, and getting plenty of rest. • Sofia rushed to catch the 5 45 express but had to wait for the 6 19.