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The semicolon

Semicolons are used in the following instances.

1. To separate independent clauses not linked by a coordinating conjunction:

The second edition of the handbook is more up-to-date; however, it is more expensive.

2. To separate items in a series that already contains commas:

The members elected three officers: Jack Resnick, president; Carol Wayshum, vice-president; Ahmed Jamoogian, recording secretary.

In this example, the semicolon acts as a "supercomma," keeping the names and titles clear.

COMMON ERROR: use of a semicolon when a colon is called for.

INCORRECT

We still need one ingredient; luck.

CORRECT

We still need one ingredient: luck.

The colon

Colons are used in the following instances.

1. To introduce a word, phrase, or clause that amplifies or explains a general statement:

The project team lacked one crucial member: a project leader.

Here is the client's request: we are to provide the preliminary proposal by November 13.

We found three substances in excessive quantities: potassium, cyanide, and asbestos.

The week had been productive: fourteen projects had been completed and another dozen had been initiated.

Note that the text preceding a colon should be able to stand on its own as a main clause:

INCORRECT

We found: potassium, cyanide, and asbestos.

CORRECT

We found potassium, cyanide, and asbestos.

2. To introduce items in a vertical list, if the introductory text would be incomplete without the list:

We found the following:

potassium cyanide asbestos

3. To introduce long or formal quotations:

The president began: "In the last year . . ."

COMMON ERROR: use of a colon to separate a verb from its complement.

INCORRECT

The tools we need are: a plane, a level, and a T-square.

CORRECT

The tools we need are a plane, a level, and a T-square.

CORRECT

We need three tools: a plane, a level, and a T-square.

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