Semicolons and Colons Powerpoint

4th Form Language
Colons and
Semicolons
PRACTICE
Insert colons and semicolons in the sentences below.
1. My sister Amy my friend Kyle and I went to the park.
2. My mom said I couldn’t go to the party I didn’t want to go
anyway.
3. Bananas are a healthy snack they contain potassium
which may help your vision.
4. When we left the park the one at the end of the block we
went home.
5. My aunt Sally who is my favorite aunt talked to my mom.
6. Most fruits are low in fat they are also high in vitamins.
7. I brought a lot of stuff food drinks and blankets.
8. There are many reasons to exercise it’s good for your
health, it’s fun, and it’s free.
ANSWERS
Insert colons and semicolons in the sentences below.
1. My sister Amy; my friend Kyle and I went to the park.
2. My mom said I couldn’t go to the party; I didn’t want to go
anyway.
3. Bananas are a healthy snack; they contain potassium
which may help your vision.
4. When we left the park: the one at the end of the block; we
went home.
5. My aunt Sally; who is my favorite aunt, talked to my mom.
6. Most fruits are low in fat: they are also high in vitamins.
7. I brought a lot of things: food drinks and blankets.
8. There are many reasons to exercise: it’s good for your
health, it’s fun, and it’s free.
Why use punctuation marks?
Using punctuation is like pausing between
words and ideas when you speak.
Imagine if you didn’t take pause between
words and sentences when speaking.
Would that be effective communication?
RULES
FOR
USING
COLONS
Colons
When a colon (:) is used, it shows that the
words which follow it are an explanation,
example or list of what has been written
before it.
It’s also like using the words “and here it
is” or “and here they are.”
Examples
A cheeseburger is usually made up of four

layers: the bottom half of the bun, the
burger, the cheese, some salad and the top
half of the bun.
A colon should be placed after a complete sentence.
It can be followed by lots of words or just a few words that

may, or may not be in a complete sentence. For example:
There is only one thing I have to say to you: you are a pig!
I don’t know what to do with complete sentence
my money: spend or save?
not a complete sentence
Colons are placed directly after

the last word of the main idea and
they are followed by one space
only. They are never followed by
either a hyphen (-) or a dash (–).
RULE 1
Use a colon to introduce an item or a series of items. Do
not capitalize the first item after the colon (unless it's a
proper noun).
Examples:
You know what to do: practice.
You may be required to bring many things: sleeping bags,
pans, utensils, and warm clothing.
I want the following items: butter, sugar, and flour.
I need an assistant who can do the following: input data,
write reports, and complete tax forms
RULE 2
Capitalize the first word of a complete sentence
quotation that follows a colon.
Example:
The host made an announcement: "You are all
staying for dinner."
RULE 3
Use a colon rather than a comma to follow
the salutation in a business letter, even
when addressing someone by his or her first
name. (Never use a semicolon after a
salutation.) A comma is used after the
salutation in more informal correspondence.
For example: Dear Mrs. Samoht:

Other Rules
• To indicate time
The train leaves at 3:47 p.m.
• Between a title and subtitle
Ideas across Time: Classic and
Contemporary Readings for Composition.
• To separate chapter and verse in scripture
Luke 4: 3
RULES
FOR
USING
SEMICOLONS
Semicolons
A semicolon (;) joins two main/independent clauses
(complete sentences) into one longer sentence.
It is used to join clauses that are too closely related to be
separated by a full stop. Semicolons can replace
conjunctions such as ‘and’ or ‘but’.
It’s also like using the word furthermore.
Eating chocolate in moderation is fine;

eating chocolate in excess is bad.
The semicolon joins the statements about

chocolate into one sentence which acts
like a warning: eating a little chocolate is
okay but beware of eating too much. The
second clause is directly related to the first
clause.
RULE 1
A semicolon can replace a period if the writer
wishes to narrow the gap between two closely
linked sentences.
Examples:
Call me tomorrow; you can give me an answer
then.
We have paid our dues; we expect all the
privileges listed in the contract.
RULE 2
Use a semicolon before such words and terms
as namely, however, therefore, that is, for
example, for instance, etc., when they
introduce a complete sentence. It is also
preferable to use a comma after these words
and terms.
Example:
Bring any two items; however, sleeping bags
and tents are in short supply.
RULE 3
Use a semicolon to separate units of a series
when one or more of the units contain
commas.
Example:
The conference has people who have come
from Moscow, Idaho; Springfield, California;
Alamo, Tennessee; and other places as
well. (Note the final semicolon, rather than a
comma, after Tennessee.)
RULE 4
A semicolon may be used between
independent clauses joined by a connector,
such as and, but, or, nor, etc., when one or
more commas appear in the first clause.
Example:
When I am finished here, and I will soon, I'll
be glad to help you; and that is a promise I
will keep.

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4th Form Language

A cheeseburger is usually made up of four

It can be followed by lots of words or just a few words that

not a complete sentence

Colons are placed directly after

For example: Dear Mrs. Samoht:

Eating chocolate in moderation is fine;

The semicolon joins the statements about

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