The .pdf version of this page may be more helpful.

;    Semicolons ;

Separating items in a series that include other punctuation

- The child’s painting contained three colors: green, for the grass; blue, for the sky; and red, for the fire truck.

Linking closely related clauses

- I walked home from school today; it was cold.

Linking closely related clauses with conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases

- The student cheated on the test; therefore, he should fail.

- My sister really likes fruit; in fact, she likes it so much that she would rather have peaches than cookies for dessert.

Some Conjunctive Adverbs

Some Transitional Phrases

:    Colons   :

Introducing explanations, examples, or quotations

- The men were dressed alike: tee shirts, blue jeans and tennis shoes.

- Theodore Roosevelt is remembered for his foreign policy: “Walk softly but carry a big stick.” 

Introducing series or lists

- Tom played several sports in high school: football, hockey, soccer, and lacrosse.

- I have several classes this semester: Calculus, Art, Biology, English, and History.