Semicolon and Colon

The Semicolon

• Has the stopping strength of a period but indicates relation between two clauses like a comma does.  It's stronger than a comma but weaker than a period.

• Tells the reader that something still needs to be added to the previous independent clause.

• Serves three purposes
• To separate independent clauses of equal emphasis.
• To separate items in a list when each item contains a comma.
• To separate items in a list for clarity when the items are long.

• Use semicolons if you have similar ideas in several short sentences.  Make sure that your semicolon connects logically related ideas.
• The clause following a semicolon often restates or expands on an idea expressed in the first clause.  It can also present a contrast.

The Colon

• The colon is the equivalent of the phrase "THAT IS."
• It introduces explanations or predicted elements.  The difference between a colon and a semicolon is that the colon points to what's next.
• Colons can also be used between two independent clauses when the second amplifies or restates the first.  Colons signify a stronger relationship between clauses than do semicolons.