1. Mechanics: Semicolons, Colons, & Hyphens

2. Using Semicolons
Semicolons separate two clauses that could have been written as two separate sentences.
Semicolons, which create a pause stronger than that of a comma but not as strong as the full pause of a period, show close connections between related ideas.
Example: Please put in a trash can; the garbage collector will be here in the morning.

3. Using Semicolons: Linking Independent Clauses
Though a comma and a coordinating conjunction often join independent clauses, semicolons provide writers with subtler ways of signaling closely related clauses.
The clause following a semicolon often restates an idea expressed in the first clause; it sometimes expands on or presents a contrast to the first.
Example: “Immigration acts were passed; newcomers had to prove, besides moral correctness and financial solvency, their ability to read.”—Mary Gorden, “More Than Just a Shrine”

4. Using Semicolons
If two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction contain commas, you may use a semicolon instead of a comma before the conjunction to make the sentence easier to read.
Example: “Every year, whether the Republican or the Democratic party is in office, more and more power drains away from the individual to feed vast reservoirs in far-off places; and we have less and less say about the shape of events which shape our future.”—William F. Buckley Jr., “Why Don’t We Complain?”

5. Using Semicolons: Linking Independent Clauses Joined by Conjunctive Adverbs & Transitions
A semicolon—not a comma—should link independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb such as however or therefore; or a transition such as a result or for example.
Example: “The circus comes as close to being the world in microcosm as anything I know; in a way, it puts all the rest of show business in the shade.”—E.B. White, “The Ring of Time”

6. Using Semicolons: Separating Items in a Series Containing Other Punctuation
Commas separate items in a series; however, when the items themselves contain commas or other punctuation, semicolons make the sentence clearer.
Example: Anthropology encompasses archaeology, the study of ancient civilizations through artifacts; linguistics, the study of the structure and development of language; and cultural anthropology, the study of language, customs, and behavior.”

7. Using Semicolons: Misused Semicolons
Use a comma, not a semicolon, to separate an independent clause from a dependent clause or phrase.
Example: The police found fingerprints, which they used to identify the thief.
Example: The new system would encourage students to register for courses online, thus streamlining registration.

8. Using Semicolons to Fix Comma Splices
Remember, if the ideas of the two clauses are closely related and you want to give them equal emphasis, you can link them with a semicolon.
Example:
This photograph is not at all realistic; it uses dreamlike images to convey its message.
Many developing countries have very high birthrates; therefore, most of their citizens are young.

9. Using Semicolons: Misused Semicolons
Use a colon, not a semicolon, to introduce a series or list.
Example: The tour includes the following bands: Dropkick Murpheys, Rise Against, Blink 182, and Local Natives.

10. Semicolon Exercise 49.2
It is raining outside I will bring my umbrella with me.
She doesn't understand algebra therefore, she will probably not pass the math final.
You should always choose a college according to whether you believe you'll be happy you're the one who will be attending for four years.
There is a lot of financial aid around you just have to know where to look for it.

11. Using Colons
Use a colon to introduce an explanation, an example, an appositive, a series, a list, or a quotation.
Example: “At the baby’s one-month birthday party, Ah Po gave him the Four Valuable Things: ink, inkslab, paper, and brush.”—Maxine Hong Kingston, China Men

12. Using Colons
Use a colon rather than a comma to introduce a quotation when the lead-in is a complete sentence on its own.
Example: The State of the Union address contained one surprising statement: “America is addicted to oil.”

13. Using Colons
Colons are also used after salutations in formal letters; with numbers indicating hours, minutes, and seconds; with ratios; with biblical chapters and verses; with titles and subtitles; and in bibliographic entries.
Examples:
Dear Dr. Nuss:
4:59 PM
The Joy of Insight: Passions of a Physicist
Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010

14. Using Colons: Misused Colons
Do NOT put a colon between a verb and its object or complement (unless the object is a quotation), between a preposition and its object, or after such expressions such as, especially, and including.
Examples:
Some natural fibers are: cotton, wool, silk, and linen.
In poetry, additional power may come from devices such as: simile, metaphor, and alliteration.

15. Exercise 49.3
In the following items, insert a colon in any sentence that needs one and delete any unnecessary colons. Some sentences may be correct as written.
Example: Images: My Life in Film includes revealing material written by Ingmar Bergman.

16. Exercise 49.3
After discussing the case study, the class reached one main conclusion in any business, the most important asset is the customer.
Another example is taken from Psalm
Roberto tried to make healthier choices, such as: eating organic food, walking to work, and getting plenty of rest.
Sofia rushed to catch the 5 45 express but had to wait for the 6 19.