Semi-colon ; 1. Use when combining 2 independent clauses (sentences) on the same topic. – Example: We went shopping; we bought milk. My mother co-signed for a loan; now I have my own car. – Notice, the semi-colon takes the place of a comma and conjunction. * The word that follows the semi-colon is NEVER capitalized. (Unless it is a pronoun like Jane, I, etc.) I went to the movie; ate some popcorn. (YES) I went to the movie; Ate some popcorn. (NO)

; 2. Use between a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression. – The popular names of certain animals are misleading; for example, the koala bear is not a bear. Examples of these: HoweverInsteadMeanwhileBesides For exampleThereforeIn factFurthermore

; 3. Use a semi-colon to separate items in a series when it already contains commas. – We went on a field trip to Topeka, Kansas; Freedom, Oklahoma; and Amarillo, Texas.

Colon : 1. Use after a complete sentence to introduce a long quote, a list, an illustrative example. – Example: Abraham Lincoln, in his Gettysburg Address said: “Four score and seven years ago…” We bought a lot of groceries: apples, pears, carrots, bread, etc. We saw a strangely dressed woman: bright, pink lipstick, outrageous muumuu, huge floppy shoes, and hair that looked like she had stuck her finger in a light socket.

: 2. Time – Example: 2:30 a.m.

: 3. Business letter salutation – Example: To whom it may concern: Dear Sir:

: Subtitles in titles (or to separate chapters and verses). – Example: Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring