Understanding Semi-Colons - University of Cape Town



Understanding Semi-ColonsBy the end of this lesson you should be able to:Identify what semi-colons and colons areUnderstand and use them according to their different functionsIntroduction: SEMI-COLONSThe semi-colon indicates a longer pause in a sentence than a comma. It has 3 main purposes:The semi-colon separates two related independent clauses. Independent clauses contain a subject and a verb; therefore, they can stand as a sentence on their own.Example: He turned eighteen; he was eligible to vote.In the above example the two independent clauses (“He turned eighteen” and “He was eligible to vote”) relate to each other, because you are eligible to vote when you turn eighteen. Therefore, it is possible for both to be separated by a semi-colon. Activity 1Use a semi-colon to separate the independent clauses in the following sentences: In March, the Edenvale Valley erupted observers described the fighting as full-scale civil war. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote The Prince Mandela wrote A Long Walk to Freedom. Mosca says the first class performs all the political functions the second class is directed and controlled by the first. The semi-colon also separates phrases in a complicated list.Example: In South Africa, some of the Bills that come before Parliament are: ordinary Bills that do not affect the provinces, which can only be introduced in the National Assembly (NA); ordinary Bills that affect the provinces, which can be introduced in the NA or the National Council of Provinces (NCOP); and money Bills, which also can only be introduced in the national assembly. In the above example, the semi-colons help to separate the phrases more clearly. The semi-colon separates each Bill and where they are introduced in parliament from the other Bills. Imagine how confusing the sentence would be if commas separated the phrases instead of semi-colons! Activity 2 Use a semi-colon to separate the items that form part of a list in the following sentences:The study of comparative politics allows for the exploration of previous scholars’ ideas it highlights the successes and failures of these ideas and it assists in the evaluation and criticism of contemporary political analysis. Several aspects affected the transition of power, such as the erosion of the authority of the apartheid regime the stalemate between the NP and the ANC which led both parties to start negotiations and the eventual implementation of the new democratic rules. The following is a list of some of E. Black’s “phases of modernization”: first, the challenge of modernity, in which the traditional society confronts modern ideas second, the consolidation of modernizing leadership, leaders in favour of modernisation gaining power, often through revolution and third, economic and social transformation, in which the society progresses from a rural to an urban way of life. The semi-colon comes before a conjunctive adverb. Conjunctive adverbs connect two clauses.The following are examples of conjunctive adverbs commonly found in academic writing howeverThereforealsoFurthermorein additionConsequentlythusThenExample: Athens did not believe Socrates’ claims; therefore, he was sentenced to death. In the above example the conjunctive adverb “therefore” connects the clause “Athens did not believe Socrates’ claims” with the clause “he was sentenced to death”. NB: conjunctive adverbs often receive a comma directly afterward, as seen in the above example. For more information on the use of commas refer to the lesson plan ‘Commas’Activity 3Use a semi-colon before the conjunctive adverb in the following sentences:Leaders are unable to satisfy popular expectations consequently legitimacy is lost. The lecturer was sick thus the lecture was cancelled. Political elites often respond in an uncompromising way to pressures for change, resorting to force to maintain their position however this leads to further loss of legitimacy.Introduction: Understanding ColonsTry not to confuse colons with semi-colons. Here are 5 functions of colons:1. Colons are used after a sentence to introduce a list. Example: You will come across these terms in this Introduction to Politics course: capitalism, communism, socialism, liberalism and fascism. In the above example the colon follows the sentence “You will come across these terms in this Introduction to Politics course.” The colon introduces the list of political ideologies “capitalism, communism, socialism, liberalism and fascism.”NB: Do not use a colon to precede a list if it does not follow a SENTENCE. I.e. the following would be incorrect:The book included quotes from: Machiavelli, Weber and Marx.“The book included quotes from” is not a sentence that can stand on its own; therefore, a colon should not be used before the list of political philosophers. 2. Colons are used to show a direct quotation. Example: The following is an extract of Mosca’s: In all societies … two classes of people appear – a class that rules and a class that is ruled. 3. Colons introduce an idea that follows what was written before the colon. Example: Now that you have gathered your information, you have only one thing left to do: write the essay. 4. Colons appear in in-text referencing Example: “Whether US power will underpin or undermine humanitarian intervention is uncertain,” (Weiss, 2004:149).5. Colons are used in the telling of timeExample: The politics lecture starts at 15:00.ActivityPlace a colon in the correct place of each sentence. Chapter one of the National Peace Accord sought democratic ideals “The establishment of a multi-party democracy in South Africa is our common goal. Democracy is impossible in a climate of violence, intimidation and fear.”The new South Africa’s laws were compiled into one, democratic document the Constitution. Democracy entails several key characteristics participation, accountability and good governance.“This democratizing effect in the sense of giving voice to individual opinions in international processes, however, does not hold for all citizens, since in some states the openness of the Internet and its public accessibility is under state control,” (Shapiro, 1999 24).Many South Africans lined up before 05 00 to cast their first vote on 27 April, 1994. ................
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