Colons (:), semicolons (;), and dashes (-) can all be used to join two related ideas.  Using these punctuation marks properly will help to add variety to your comparisons.

Colon

Use a colon to draw attention to the words that come after it.  These words may be a list, or a restatement or description of something before the colon.  The words before the colon must be a complete thought.

  • WRONG: Someday sloppy people will make a family scrapbook containing: newspaper clippings, postcards, locks of hair, and the dried corsage from their senior prom.
  • RIGHT: Someday sloppy people will make a family scrapbook containing the following: newspaper clippings, postcards, locks of hair, and the dried corsage from their senior prom.

Use a semicolon to indicate that two main clauses (sentences) are closely related.

  • Not a paper will go unturned; not a rubber band will go unboxed.

**What comes after the colon does not have to be a complete clause, but what comes after a semicolon does.

Semicolon

Use a semicolon before adverbs like however, nevertheless, moreover, therefore, in fact, or for example, but not before coordinating conjunctions (and, or, nor, for, but, so, yet); since the conjunction already brings together the two clauses it joins, the use of the semicolon is excessive.

  • Sloppy people live in Never-Never Land; for example, they swear that someday they will go through their wardrobes, but they never, never will.

**A dash could replace the colon or semicolon; however, use dashes sparingly, when you want to place extra emphasis on particular words.  They encourage disjointed writing and are not as precise as a colon or semicolon.

author avatar
William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team)
William completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in 2013. He current serves as a lecturer, tutor and freelance writer. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, walking his dog and parasailing. Article last reviewed: 2022 | St. Rosemary Institution © 2010-2024 | Creative Commons 4.0

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