English Grammar Guide

Colons Semicolons

Colons and semicolons are some of the most feared, omitted and misused punctuation marks in the history of English grammar. From children who never learn to use them properly, to adults who secretly omit them because they`re just not sure. Nobody ever seems to quite know how to use them, which is which, or what their real role is anyway. But if colons confound you and semicolons leave you stumped, fear not!

COLONS:

There are three main uses of colons:

Joining together two separate sentences to make one longer, complex sentence (if no conjunction is used). Join the two clauses when the second clause illustrates or further explains what was said in the first clause

To introduce a list at the end of a sentence

To introduce quotations, usually if it is longer than two lines in length

SEMICOLONS:
Like a colon, a semicolon may be used in place of a conjunction to join two separate clauses. The difference is that semicolon should be used when the second clause does not illustrate or explain the first, but is a separate or new idea.
Unlike a colon, a semicolon may also be used to join two separate clauses if a conjunctive adverb or transition word, such as `however`, `therefore` or `for example` is used.

Another import use of the semicolon is to separate items on a list when the items themselves contain commas.

Apostrophe Catastrophe!

The poor, humble apostrophe must be the most commonly abused punctuation mark in the English language. Rarely treated with respect, it is as frequently misplaced as it is left our all together.

Here are some simple Dos and Don`ts for the poor misused apostrophe:

• DON`T use apostrophes for plurals
• DO use apostrophes for ownership
• DON`T mix up it`s and its
• DO use apostrophes for abbreviation

The Oxford Comma
The Oxford comma (the style recommended by Oxford University Press and the Chicago Manual of Style), is the last comma in a series - the comma before the final and or or. The Associated Press recommends against the Oxford comma, unless leaving it out will cause confusion.
So when might the Oxford comma be needed for clarity? Ponder the difference between these two examples:
We invited the jugglers, Beyonce, and Lizzo.We invited the jugglers, Beyonce and Lizzo.
Lists and Bullet Points
There are several ways of compiling a list. When writing in a parallel form, use commas or semicolons (if the items themselves have commas) to distinguish between them. In business and technical writing, lists are usually in the vertical form, using bullet points.
The Split Infinitive
It is important to fully understand the gravity of splitting an infinitive (putting an adverb between the two parts of the full infinitive). Although it doesn`t really matter, it can infuriate some readers... best avoided in order not to seriously inflame them!
Many copy editors around the world still appear to believe that the split infinitive is some kind of grammatical sin, however, in some cases it can be unavoidable and can help emphasise a point. Think of Star Trek - the writers could just have easily written `to go boldly where no one has gone before`.
Do be careful though, sometimes when you try to avoid splitting an infinitive you can change the meaning of a sentence.