2. The Semicolon and The Colon
Using the Semicolon 1. Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related in
meaning: Insist on your; never imitate
During the summer the resort is crowded with tourists; 2. Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses when the second begins with or
includes a conjunctive adverb : Shakespeare’s play are nearly four hundred years old; nevertheless, they still
speak to us. The voters have rejected a plan to widen Main Street, truckers, therefore,
will have to find an alternate route through town. 3. Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses linked by a conjunction if commas
appear in the clauses : By laughing at our faults, we can learn to acknowledge them graciously; and
we can try to overcome them in a positive, even cheerful way, not grimly and disagreeably.
4. Use semicolons to emphasize the decision items in a series when one or more of the items include commas :
Universitas Sumatera Utara
There were three new delegates at the meeting : Ms. Barbara Smith from Red Bank, New Jersey; Ms. Beth Waters from Pocumtuck, Massachuttes; and
Mr. James Papson from Freeport, Maine. - Misusing the Semicolon
1. Do not use a semicolon between a phrase and the clause to which it belongs : The climbers carried an extra nylon rope with them; to ensure their safe
descent from the cliff. REVISED : The climbers carried an extra nylon rope with them to ensure their safe
descent from the cliff. 2. Do not use a semicolon between a subordinate clause and the main clause:
Most of the crowd had left, before the concert ended. REVISED : Most of the crowd had left before the concert ended.
3. Do not use a semicolon to introduce a list : The prophets denounced three types of wrongdoing; idolatry, injustice, and
neglect of the needy. - Using the colon
1. Use a colon to introduce a list coming at the end of a sentence : Passenger may have one of four beverages : coffee, tea, milk, or soda.
2. Use a colon to introduce an example or an explanation related to something just mentioned :
Universitas Sumatera Utara
The animals have a good many of our practical skills : some insects make pretty air architects, and beavers know quite a lot about engineering.
3. Use a colon to introduce a quotation usually of more than one line in an essay : In the opening sentence of his novel Scaramouche, Rafael Sabatini says of
his hero : “He was born with the gift of laughter, and a sense that te world was mad”.
4. Use a colon to follow the salutation in a formal letter Dear Mayor:
Dear Mr. Watson: To Whom it may concern:
5. Use a colon to separate hours from minutes when the time of days is shown in numerals:
8 : 40 6 : 30
11: 15 - Misusing the colon
1. Do not use a colon after such as, including, or a form of the verb be : On rainy days we played board games such as : Monopoly, Scrabble, and
Trivial Pursuit.
Universitas Sumatera Utara
I woke up to find that someone had taken all of my valuables, including : my watch, my camera, my passport, and all of money.
REVISED : I woke up to find that someone had taken all of my valuable, including my watch, my camera, my passport and all of my money.
In the kit were : soap, matches, an axe, and water. REVISED : In the kit were, soap, matches, an axe, and water.
2. Do not use a colon between a verb and its object or between a preposition and its object :
In less than two minutes, the assailant knocked out : Bob, John and Harold. REVISED : In less than two minutes, the assailant knocked out : Bob, John, and
Harold. Before heading home, we stopped at : the supermarket, the hardware store,
and the gas station. REVISED : before heading home, we stopped at the supermarket, the hardware store,
and the gas station.
3. End Marks
Kategori