We use common as well as semicolons to divide the clauses contained in a sentence. This division can be completed with either one or multiple phrases or words which may be on any side of the semicolon. A semicolon and a colon have the same meaning but a semicolon cannot have a vacant space before it.
Generally just after an independent clause a colon brings up something. It generally helps to demonstrate what comes after is connected in any manner to what comes before it. For instance, the flag was green; I found no option but to succumb: the second portion of the sentence clarifies for which reason the first part occurred. We also use colons after greeting in business notes, book labels, or subtitles that bring up various principal clauses as well as figures of speech.
We use semicolons to divide two independent clauses; also to divide things in an index, especially while there are commas in those things. When you will find that a comma has already been placed before the semicolon, you have to understand that you should put a comma there in place of a semicolon, but the author preferred to put the semicolon for any motive. One of the most specific motives is a disjunction, which means creating distance between connected words or phrases deliberately as antipathetic to using conjunctions like “and” or “but”. Now we are going to show you what the distinction is between colons and semicolons.
The History of Colons and Semicolons
In the 18th century, the period of using semicolons came to an end. Before the 20th century, semicolons were yet utilized; they became less ordinary but colons can not replace them. A few punctuation guides started to suggest using colons in place of semicolons; nonetheless, this has not still happened for a lot of main styles, along with academic papers as well as newspapers. There was an oddity: journalistic papers started to replace semicolons with times in headlines starting in the 1890s.
THE USAGE OF COLONS AND SEMICOLONS
Use of semicolon
The Oxford Guide to Style suggests skipping comma splices within self-reliant clauses connected by coordinating conjunctions like and, or, not, forewent by modifiers like however. A comma splice is the usage of two self-reliant clauses by using just a comma between them. This has been bypassed in several style guides since the mid-20th century.
Though a large number of modern administrations tell us to use semicolons to divide sentences, colons are occasionally placed rather while the principal clause of an independent clause is heeded by further details that are sub-element. If you use colons in place of semicolons it will be more difficult for you to read the text. When one or additional words come before the semicolon, you should not give any leeway between such terms and the semicolon, and every word after the semicolon must be divided from it with the help of a space.
Semicolons are particularly very vital in systematic indexes where they give transparency and restrict perplexity. For instance: “He needed to get up instantly; he was already very behind plan.” If you use only commas for the sentence it will create an unnecessary detachment of concepts: “He needed to get up instantly. He was already very behind plan.” We can not understand why the comma before the conjunction is removed. Also, it is not clear to us whether it belongs to both clauses or only the second, or whether he refers to someone other than the orator. But if you use semicolons such obscurity will not be created.
In Which Cases You Can Use Semicolons?
- A sentence starting with an adverbial dependent clause. For example: “When I reached, the game was over.”
- When it is not clear whether the listed items are distinct sentences or not. For example, I like cooking, reading, and going shopping. You may put a colon in place of a semicolon here.
- A complex succession of sentences for each thing in a list containing inner punctuation. For example, I went to the shop; I purchased eggs, bread, and milk; I came home; I prepared egg toast.
- A complex sentence containing subordinating conjunction. For instance: If I had money, I would buy a flat. You may also write this sentence as. Although I do not have money, I would still want to buy a flat.
- An independent clause is associated with another independent clause with the help of a coordinating conjunction which is also called a fused sentence. For instance: I went to the shop; it was locked.
In Which Cases You Can Not Use a Semicolon?
- A sentence starting with an adverbial independent clause. For example: When I reached, the game was over.
- When it is not clear whether the listed items are distinct sentences or not. For example, I like cooking, reading, and going shopping. You may put a colon in place of a semicolon here.
- A simple sequel that is not always a complete sentence. For example: I went to the shop, and purchased eggs, bread, and milk.
- A complex sentence that contains an -ing verb form works like a gerund but does not begin with a subordinating conjunction. For example: When I reached, the game was over.
- Several complete sentences are connected with conductive verbs. For example, I went to the shop; it was locked.
In Which Cases You Can Use a Colon?
- While you start a sentence with an adverbial dependent clause. For example: when I reached, the game was over: it had finished within short hours.
- When it is not clear whether the listed items are distinct sentences or not. For example, I like cooking, reading, and going shopping. You may put a comma in place of a colon here. For example, I visited the shop; it was locked.
- A complex succession of sentences for each thing in a list containing inner punctuation. For example, I went to the shop; I purchased eggs, bread, and milk; I came home.
- A complex sentence that contains an -ing verb form works like a gerund but does not begin with a subordinating conjunction. For example: When I reached, the game was over; having failed to see her there, I departed instantly.
In Which Cases You Can Not Use a Colon?
- A sentence starting with an adverbial independent clause. For example: When I reached, the game was over. After having dinner, I came back home early.
- Several complete sentences are incorporated with the help of conjunctive adverbs. For example, I visited the store; it was locked, so I remained at home.
- A sequel in which every item is not itself a complete sentence. For example: “I went to the market, bought bread, eggs, and milk, and arrived home.”
- A complex sentence that contains an ‘-ing’ verb form acting like a gerund that does not begin with a subordinating conjunction. For example: “When I reached, the game was over, my having failed to see her there”.
Get in Touch With Our Professional to Clear Your Doubts
Colons and semicolons are the two important punctuation marks that are placed to divide and connect things in a list. Nonetheless, there are no particular rules for using them. You have to look at every sentence and clause properly and search for the specific patterns of phrases or thoughts and figure out which one comes frequently as a connector or divider. For instance, in case you are drafting an article on your attractions you may put colons after cooking but you have to put semicolons after reading: “I love cooking; I also love reading.” If you yearned to produce it obvious that both actions occurred on distinct days of the week, nonetheless, you may modify it accordingly: “I love cooking; reading, and I do so particularly on Wednesdays.”
There are a few differences between the two. If you are still confused about how to use colon and semicolon in your assignment you may approach our experts at My Assignment Writing Help without any hesitation.
