When should a semicolon be used examples?

When to Use a Semicolon
  • Semicolons separate items in a complex list. For example, The Council is comprised of ten members: three from Sydney, Australia; four from Auckland, New Zealand; two from Suva, Fiji; and one from Honiara, Solomon Islands.
  • Semicolons join two closely related independent clauses.

How do you use a colon and semicolon?

Colons and semicolons are two types of punctuation. Colons (:) are used in sentences to show that something is following, like a quotation, example, or list. Semicolons (;) are used to join two independent clauses, or two complete thoughts that could stand alone as complete sentences.

When listing Do you use a colon or semicolon?

Semicolons separate items within a list, while a colon precedes and introduces a list.
  1. He took three things on the hike; his lunch, his binoculars, and his trusty walking stick.
  2. He took three things on the hike: his lunch, his binoculars, and his trusty walking stick.

Do I use a colon before a list?

Use a colon before a series or list only if the words that introduce the list make up a complete sentence: … If the words before the colon do not constitute a sentence, do not use a colon: To make a cake you need butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, leavener, and salt.

What is a semicolon example?

Semicolons Separate Clauses

Here’s an example: I have a big test tomorrow; I can’t go out tonight. The two clauses in that sentence are separated by a semicolon and could be sentences on their own if you put a period between them instead: I have a big test tomorrow.

How do you list items in a sentence?

To list items within a sentence, use lowercase letters in parentheses to identify each item. Use the correct punctuation— either commas or semi-colons— to separate the items in a list.

What punctuation should I use before a list?

colon
Introducing a list. The colon is used to introduce a list of items.

How do you use a colon UK?

A colon is nearly always preceded by a complete sentence; what follows the colon may or may not be a complete sentence, and it may be a mere list or even a single word. A colon is not normally followed by a capital letter in British usage, though American usage often prefers to use a capital.

What is colon in grammar?

A colon is used to give emphasis, present dialogue, introduce lists or text, and clarify composition titles. Emphasis—Capitalize the first word after the colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. … The words on either side of the colon should be able to stand on their own.

What do em dashes do?

The em dash can function like a comma, a colon, or parenthesis. Like commas and parentheses, em dashes set off extra information, such as examples, explanatory or descriptive phrases, or supplemental facts. Like a colon, an em dash introduces a clause that explains or expands upon something that precedes it.

How do you separate two sentences?

They can be made into one compound sentence with a semicolon alone between the two independent clauses. The semicolon has more strength than the comma. Thus, it can separate two independent clauses by itself; a comma cannot separate two independent clauses unless it is followed by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

How do you use dashes?

A dash is a little horizontal line that floats in the middle of a line of text (not at the bottom: that’s an underscore). It’s longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause. Dashes are used to separate groups of words, not to separate parts of words like a hyphen does.

What is comma splice?

A comma splice occurs when you use a comma to join two complete sentences without placing an appropriate joining word between them. The comma just isn’t strong enough to do the job of making one grammatical sentence out of two. Learn to recognize what comma splices look like, and be sure to avoid them in your essays.

Do you capitalize after a semicolon?

When using a semicolon to join two independent clauses, do not capitalize the first word of the second independent clause unless the word is a proper noun, e.g., The sky is blue; the birds are singing.

What is a dash example?

A dash can be used between times and dates. (A dash will usually replace the words from…to or between…and.) For example: USSR existed 1922–1991.
…
(1) Using Dashes with Ranges (e.g., Times and Dates)
Time Event
0830–0930 Lesson 1
0930–1230 Lessons 2–3

How can I use in English?

When should a dash be used in writing?

Use dashes to set off an idea or an appositive within a sentence. A dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to set off an idea within a sentence and may be used alone or in pairs. Dashes interrupt a thought in a more dramatic way than a phrase enclosed in commas, but less theatrically than parentheses.