What is the difference between a colon and a semicolon?
A lot!
Do not let the fact
the share the same surname make you think they are closely related, they are
barely second-cousins, if they were royalty they could marry.
The better
question is: what is the difference between a semicolon and a period? They are
almost brother and sister, if they were royalty they would need to limit their
relationship to nocturnal incest.
But there is so much to a semicolon, I felt it
deserved its own Quick 5 Point Novel Guide.
1. Simple Structure
No blank space precedes a semicolon. One blank space follows
a semicolon.
2. Speeding Ticket-period,
semicolon, and comma
The speed at which a sentence flows is affected by the use of
a semicolon. For example:
The clock is ticking. My boss called. The cab comes. (This sentence
is too slow for the flow of time expressed.)
The clock is ticking; my boss called; the cab comes. (This is
faster but still too slow.)
The clock is ticking, my boss called, the cab comes. (This
is the one.)
3. A Semicolon tells
you there is more to come in this sentence, it is building up
The first thing to realize about a semicolon is that it can
link two independent clauses, sentences which could stand alone and make sense.
Kevin’s heart told him move to London. His head told him to stay
put.
Kevin’s heart told him move to London; his head told him to stay
put.
Why not just use a period or a comma with coordinating conjunction
(a joining word—for another lesson)?
Well, the sentence can mean difference
things with difference emphasis.
A semicolon may be used instead of a period to
separate two main clauses that are closely connected in meaning or that express
a clear contrast.
Jim watched the world cup on TV. He watched TV in the shed. There is no link between the two sentences. We
can’t say Jim watched the world cup in the shed.
Jim watched the world cup on TV, and he watched TV in the shed.
He watched World Cup on TV and watches some more TV in the shed. He might watch
the world cup on the TV in the shed.
Jim watched the world cup on TV; he watched TV in the shed.
This implies a close interrelationship, Jim watched the World Cup in the shed.
4. Use a Semicolon
before introductory words
You use a semicolon when you are using introductionary words
such as:
i.e. – I love flavored ice cream; i.e. chocolate and vanilla
For example – I love flavored ice cream; for example, chocolate and vanilla
e.g. – I love flavored ice cream; e.g. chocolate and vanilla
Namely – I love flavored
ice cream; namely, chocolate and vanilla
However – I love flavored ice cream; however, not chocolate
and vanilla
Therefore – I love flavored ice cream; therefore, I brought
an ice cream van
That is – I love flavored
ice cream; that is, I love English flavored ice cream.
For instance – I love flavored ice cream; for instance,
chocolate and vanilla
5. Use a semicolon to
separate lists with items which contain commas
If you have a sentence listing items out which also have
commas in them it can be confusing; for example:
My favorite players are Billy wright, Wolves, Kevin Keegan,
Liverpool, and John Robertson, Nottingham Forest.
Using a semicolon:
My favorite players are Billy wright, Wolves; Kevin Keegan,
Liverpool; and John Robertson, Nottingham Forest.
