Semi-colons and Colons The “other” punctuation

Semi-Colon Guidelines  Join two complete sentences that are closely related and not joined by a FANBOY  In place of a period: shows relation between the ideas in the two sentences  You need to be responsible; no one will hold your hand in college.

Guidelines and Charts  Between two complete sentences that are joined by a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression  Conjunctive Adverbs  Transitional Expressions instead meanwhile otherwise besides moreover therefore consequently nevertheless however in other words for instance as a result for example in fact that is

Examples  I played volleyball in high school; accordingly, I coached during my first year as a teacher.  The rain made for lots of traffic; however, we still arrived on time.  There are lots of ways to learn grammar; for example, you can diagram sentences, play games, or use it in context.

Guidelines Continued  In place of a comma before a FANBOY if the complete sentences contain commas  I wanted to take band, swim, and health; but only math, science, and Spanish were available.  Between items in a list if the items contain commas (helps clarify what goes with what)  I’m on a team with Rachel, who is kind, generous, and thoughtful; Grace, who is outgoing, spunky, and energetic; and Wendy, who is selfish, moody, and rude.

Colons  Before a list of items, especially after expressions such as “follows” and “following”  The Pac-12 conference includes two teams from Washington: WSU and UW.  I teach the following classes: American Lit and World Lit.  Following a complete sentence and before a long, formal statement or quotation (lead-in)  Okonkwo was a proud man: “He was afraid of being thought weak” (5). (Name that book…)  Between complete sentences when the second explains or restates the idea of the first  I felt accomplished: I finished grading all my papers.

A few more…  Between the hour and minute when telling time (duh)  Dinner’s at 6:00, sharp.  Between chapter and verse when referring to passages in the Bible  Proverbs 10:12  Between title and subtitle  Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl  After the salutation of a business letter  To Whom It May Concern:  Dear Ms. Eaton: