Semicolon (;) vs. Colon (:)
Semicolon (;) vs. Colon (:)
The semicolon (;) is used to connect independent clauses. It shows a closer relationship between the clauses than a period would show.
Ex.: John was hurt; he knew she only said it to upset him.
A colon (:) has three main uses.
The first is after a word introducing a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a series.
Ex.: He was planning to study four subjects: politics, philosophy, sociology, and economics.
The second is between independent clauses when the second explains the first, similar to a semicolon:
Ex.: I didn't have time to get changed: I was already late.
The third use of a colon is for emphasis:
Ex.: There was one thing she loved more than any other: her dog.
A colon also has non-grammatical uses in time, ratio, business correspondence and references.
Ex.: John was hurt; he knew she only said it to upset him.
A colon (:) has three main uses.
The first is after a word introducing a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a series.
Ex.: He was planning to study four subjects: politics, philosophy, sociology, and economics.
The second is between independent clauses when the second explains the first, similar to a semicolon:
Ex.: I didn't have time to get changed: I was already late.
The third use of a colon is for emphasis:
Ex.: There was one thing she loved more than any other: her dog.
A colon also has non-grammatical uses in time, ratio, business correspondence and references.