Colons and semicolons
What are colons and semicolons?
A colon (:) or single dash (-) can be used to introduce an idea, a list or an explanation. A semicolon (;) may show contrast in the ideas before and after.
What are colons and semicolons? How and why would you use them? Bitesize explains with examples from ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ by Robert Louis Stevenson.
What is a colon used for?
Colons often introduce an explanation. The phrase that comes after the colon usually explains or expands on what came before it. It is also used before a list, quotation, answer or to provide contrast.
Examples of use of colons
Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get.
In this example from Forrest Gump, the phrase that follows the colon explains why life is like a box of chocolates.I love watching films after school: comedies are my favourite.
The phrase that follows the colon here expands on what the person loves about watching films.Tom hated his mum's cooking: soggy sprouts, smelly cabbage and lumpy mashed potatoes
In this example, a colon is used to introduce a list of things that Tom's mum cooks that he doesn't like.
Question
My family and I are really excited: we’re going on holiday tomorrow!
What is the effect of the colon in this sentence?
The colon separates the clauses, adding additional information and extending the same thought. We learn more about why the speaker and their family are excited.
What is a semicolon used for?
Connecting ideas
The most common way to use a semicolon is to help join closely connected ideas in a sentence. These sections must be independent and complete sentences, but closely linked in some way.
A full stop could often be used instead of a semicolon, but the effect on the reader would change. As in this famous opening line from a Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities:
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.
It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.
Breaking up a list
Semicolons can also be used when writing a list. In most lists, it’s enough to use commas to separate the items. However, if the list is more complicated semicolons may be needed to make the list clear for the reader:
When I pack for school, I make sure I have my calculator, compasses and ruler for maths and science lessons; drawing pencils, with coloured pastels, for art; shin pads, goalie gloves and boots for football; and my bus money.
The semicolons are added to signal to the reader which objects are grouped together and make the overall list clearer.
Question
I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
What is the purpose of the semicolon in this example?
Both clauses are separated using the semicolon to show circumstance and consequence, cause and effect.
Test your punctuation knowledge
Try answering these three questions about punctuation to practise identifying features of sentence structure and analysing its effect.
Question
Why do we care? Why do I care? No one could tell me. No one truly cared.
How does the use of punctuation reveal the speaker's feelings? (2)
- The use of question marks engages the reader and shows doubt. It encourages the reader to think about whether they care about the topic.
- Full-stops are used to create a short declarative sentence. This example comes to an anti-climax as the questions ask whether or not anyone cares and answers it by saying no one did.
Question
Martha has gone to the library; her sister has gone to play soccer.
What is the effect of punctuation in this example? (1)
A semicolon is used to combine two complete sentences, united by concept with the effect of creating a comparison. The writer contrasts how the two sisters are spending their time, which gives the reader a sense of what they are like.
Question
Samantha had two choices: buy some sweets now or save up for the new game.
What kind of punctuation is being used here and why? (1)
A colon is used to link two separate clauses that are related. In this example, the colon introduces what Samantha's two choices were.
