Colon Versus Semicolon

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Colon Versus Semicolon

Most common errors when using semicolons and colons include:

Using a semicolon between two independent clauses.

Wrong: After visiting the orphanage, the charity group donated valuable items; they donated food, clothes, and stationery.

Right: After visiting the orphanage, the charity group donated valuable items: they donated food, clothes, and stationery.

Explanation: The rule I applied in revising my work is that a colon is utilized between independent clauses in cases where the second clause explains, summarizes, or provides an example for the first clause. In the example shared above, the second clause explains the first clause; thus, the two clauses should have been separated using a colon, not a semicolon.

Using a colon to introduce a list of items.

Wrong: When I went to the market I bought: oranges, bananas, pineapples, and apples.

Right: When I went to the market, I bought four different types of fruits: oranges, bananas, pineapples, and apples.

Explanation: The rule that I used to revise my work is that a clause that precedes a colon should be an independent clause. According to this rule, a colon cannot be utilized to separate parts of speech that go together. Since, in the example above, I was introducing a list, I should have made the first clause an independent clause.

Introducing quotations with a semicolon after an independent clause.

Wrong: Emily said: “You are the coolest living creature I have met.”

Right: Emily complimented me in a statement: “You are the coolest living creature I have met.”

Explanation: The rule I used to revise my work is that a colon is used to introduce quotations following an independent clause and not a semicolon. In the above example, the first clause is an independent one thus, quotations following this clause should be introduced using a colon.