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lefttop00The IWU Writing CenterHelpNote SEMI-COLONS AND COLONSSemi-colons help connect closely related ideas when a comma is not the appropriate form of punctuation. It is generally used to link, in a single sentence, two independent clauses. However, semi-colons may also be used to link clauses that are connected by conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases to connect closely related ideas, to link lists where the items contain commas to avoid confusion, and to link lengthy clauses with commas to avoid confusion between the clauses. Examples:But however they choose to write, people are allowed to make their own decisions; as a result, many people swear by their writing methods.There are basically two ways to write: with a pen or pencil, which is inexpensive and easily accessible; or by computer and printer, which is more expensive but quick and neat.Some people write with a word processor, typewriter, or a computer; but others, for different reasons, choose to write with a pen or pencil.As can hopefully be discerned from the previous examples, semi-colons are useful for clarifying long sentences with several clauses, and they make your writing sound more sophisticated. PracticeThe following sentences will contain either semi-colons, commas, or a combination of the two. Identify which sentences have been written correctly. If the sentence has not been written correctly, fix it. A key is provided after the examples.The cow is brown, it is also cold. I like cows; however, I hate the way they smell.I like cows: they give us milk, which tastes good, they give us beef, which also tastes good, and they give us leather, which is used for shoes and coats. Cows, though their bovine majesty has been on the wane in recent millennia, are still one of the great species of this planet, domesticated, yet proud, they ruminate silently as we humans pass tumultuously by. Because cows smell, they offend me. Practice KeyIncorrect. The correct sentence should be: The cow is brown; it is also cold. A semi-colon is needed because both parts of the sentence are independent clauses. There is no coordinating conjunction to connect the two ideas, so a comma must not be used. Correct. There are two independent clauses. Incorrect. The correct sentence should be: I like cows: they give us milk, which tastes good; they give us beef, which also tastes good; and they give us leather, which is used for shoes and coats. The sentence should be written this way because it is unclear what the three listed items are with commas. Incorrect. The sentence should be: Cows, though their bovine majesty has been on the wane in recent millennia, are still one of the great species of this planet; domesticated, yet proud, they ruminate silently as we humans pass tumultuously by. A semi-colon is needed here because it is unclear where the first independent clause ends and the second independent clause beings.Correct. The first part of the sentence is not an independent clause, so no semi-colon is needed. Adapted from the writing center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. ColonsColons follow independent clauses and can be used for several reasons. They can be used to do the following:Announce or introduce a list, a noun or noun phrase, a quotation, or an example or explanation.Join sentences.Express time, especially in titles or as part of other writing conventions.Examples of When to Appropriately Use a Colon:We covered many events in our history class: World War II, the founding of the United Nations, and the Vietnam War. My roommate gave me the things I needed most: companionship and quiet.Shakespeare said it best: “To thine own self be true.” Common MistakesThere are several common mistakes writers make when using colons, such as using a colon between a verb and its object or complement.Incorrect: The very best peaches are: those that are grown in the great state of Georgia. To correct this sentence, remove the colon.Using a colon between a preposition and its object is also a common mistake. Incorrect: My favorite cake is made of: carrots, flour, butter, eggs, and cream cheese icing.To correct this sentence, remove the colon. Finally, using a colon after “such as,” “including,” “especially,” and similar phrases is incorrect. This is because the material preceding the colon must be an independent clause. Incorrect: There are many different grocery stores, such as: Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, and Target. The beginning part of this sentence does not constitute a whole thought. Therefore, the colon should be removed. Adapted from the writing center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. ................
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