How to Use Colons and Semicolons (with Examples)

Colons and semicolons are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually two distinct punctuation marks with very different purposes. In this post, we’ll review how to use colons and semicolons and share examples. We’ll cover:

1. The difference between a colon and a semicolon
2. How to use a colon
3. How to use a semicolon
4. How Knowadays can help you improve your punctuation skills

Keep reading for more on colons and semicolons!

What’s the Difference Between a Colon and a Semicolon?

A colon (:) is mostly used to present lists and complete quotations. It’s also used to introduce clarifying examples or definitions or elaborate on a previous statement.

A semicolon (;) is used to join two related independent clauses, with or without a conjunctive adverb that’s followed by a comma. Semicolons are also essential in separating items in a list when the items themselves contain commas.

If ever you’re unsure about whether a semicolon or a colon is the right punctuation in a sentence, there is a handy method to help you:

• When a semicolon joins two clauses, they are each always independent. This means that the phrase on either side of the semicolon must work as a sentence by itself.
• When a colon joins two clauses, often only one is independent. This means that the phrase one side of the colon must work as a sentence by itself, but the other can be a list, phrase, or dependent clause.

So, while the colon can appear in various constructions and connect different types of clauses, a semicolon can only join independent clauses.

When to Use a Colon

Having a few different purposes, colons might seem complex at first, but they’re actually straightforward once you know how to use them. To help you get familiar with them, we’ll look at the most common ways to use colons correctly.

To Introduce a List

You can use a colon to introduce a list – think of it as a synonym for “which are” in these cases. For example:

I need to buy some things before the new school year: pencils, notebooks, and markers. ✔

The conference will focus on three key topics: sustainability, innovation, and leadership. ✔

To Explain or Clarify

You can also place a colon to introduce explanations, clarifications, or statements that provide further detail or information about what was mentioned before the colon. For example:

There’s one thing I love most about summer: the warm, sunny days. ✔

She faced a dilemma every evening: whether to keep working or take a well-earned break. ✔

This is a good time to note that there is a dialectal difference between US and UK English when it comes to capitalization after a colon. If what follows the colon is a phrase or list (i.e., an incomplete sentence), it will begin with a lowercase letter, unless it is an acronym/initialism or a proper noun. However, if the colon is followed by an independent clause – one that could be a sentence in its own right – then it is typically capitalized in US English: 

UK English: The reason for his absence is simple: he was feeling unwell. ✔

US English: The reason for his absence is simple: He was feeling unwell. ✔

To Introduce a Quotation

You can use a colon to introduce a quotation when the introduction is a complete sentence. The colon signals that what follows is directly related to the preceding statement. For instance:

Her grandmother often spoke this advice: “Patience and hard work lead to success.” ✔

The coach repeated his one rule for the team: “Give your best effort, no matter the outcome.” ✔

Farrow (2015) poses a bold claim: “Punctuation is simply little marks on a page” (p. 43). ✔

She said: “I love reading books.” ✘

In the incorrect example, the colon unnecessarily interrupts the natural flow of the sentence. The introduction is not a complete sentence, and the quote is a continuation of it, so a comma is the appropriate punctuation.

To Present an Example

A colon can be used to introduce one or more examples when the preceding part of the sentence is a complete statement. For example:

Many animals are known for their unique abilities: cheetahs for their speed, owls for their night vision, and dolphins for their intelligence. ✔

There is a skill that every proofreader needs: an eye for detail. ✔

When Not to Use a Colon

While colons are incredibly useful, they do have their limits. So when should you not use a colon? We’ll show you a few especially common mistakes to watch out for.

Between a Verb or Preposition and Its Object or Subject

This description may be a bit of a mouthful, but the basic point is that a colon should not separate the grammatical parts of a sentence. That is to say, if the sentence works correctly without a colon, it should not be there.

In technical terms, this amounts to:

• Not placing a colon between a verb and its object or subject (the actor or what is being acted upon)
• Not placing a colon between a preposition and what it presents or connects to

The best things in life are: friends, family, and on sale. ✘

The best things in life are: friends, family, and on sale. ✔

While in the city, she went to: the bank and the bakery. ✘

While in the city, she went to the bank and the bakery. ✔

In each case, the colon separates the verb or the preposition from what it is connected to. Each sentence works grammatically without the colon, so the extra punctuation creates an error.

Between a Subject and a Predicate

You should also not use a colon between a subject and a predicate. In a sentence, the subject is the part of the sentence that tells us who or what the sentence is about (usually a noun or pronoun). The predicate is the part of the sentence that tells us what the subject does or what is being said about them, and it always includes a verb.

You shouldn’t use a colon between these two parts of the sentence because it creates an unnecessary break, disrupting the flow of the writing. For example:

A useful strategy for managing stress: is practicing mindfulness every day. ✘

A useful strategy for managing stress is practicing mindfulness every day. ✔

The weather forecast: predicts heavy rain tomorrow. ✘

The weather forecast predicts heavy rain tomorrow. ✔

Between an Introduction and an Incorporated List 

When a list is already grammatically embedded in a sentence, it doesn’t need a colon as well. This error is most commonly seen after “such as” or “including.” Each of these itself signals the introduction of examples, making a colon redundant. This is how this looks in action:

I enjoy outdoor activities such as: hiking, biking, and swimming. ✘

I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and swimming. ✔

We need to buy ingredients, including: eggs, flour, sugar, and vanilla. ✘

We need to buy ingredients, including eggs, flour, sugar, and vanilla. ✔

When To Use a Semicolon

Semicolons may not be as common as commas or periods, but they’re incredibly useful for connecting ideas and clarifying complex lists. Next, we’ll explain how to use them correctly.

To Join Two Independent Clauses

One way to use a semicolon is to join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning but could stand alone as separate sentences. For example:

She wants to go to the movies; he wants to go see a play. ✔

It’s the last day of school; summer vacation is here. ✔

Using a semicolon shows the close relationship between the two parts and creates a stronger connection between the elements than a period would.

A very common error is for a writer to use a comma when connecting two independent clauses, but this creates a comma splice. So be sure to be on the lookout and ready to add a semicolon if necessary.

To Replace a Coordinating Conjunction

You can use a semicolon instead of a comma and a coordinating conjunction (such as and, but, or so) when connecting two closely related independent clauses. The semicolon replaces the conjunction while maintaining a smooth transition between the ideas. For example, you could express a very similar meaning with two different constructions:

I stayed up late last night, so I was tired the next day. ✔

I stayed up late last night; I was tired the next day. ✔  

In this example, the semicolon effectively links the two independent clauses without the need for the coordinating conjunction (so). It’s not unheard of, but you should generally not use a coordinating conjunction and a semicolon at the same time.

To Join Independent Clauses with a Conjunctive Adverb

You can also use a semicolon before conjunctive adverbs (e.g., however, therefore, and meanwhile) that connect two closely related independent clauses:

She wanted to go; however, she had too much work to finish. ✔

It’s snowing; therefore, the trip is canceled. ✔

In this construction, it’s important to remember there must be a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it.

To Separate Items in a Complex List

Aside from joining clauses, you can use a semicolon to ensure clarity in a list when the listed items already contain commas:

The workshop attendees included Janet, the school principal; Glenn, the chemistry teacher; and Dan, the superintendent. ✔

As you can see, the semicolons replace the commas that would fall between the list items. Without this extra punctuation, the list would be presented and read very differently:

The workshop attendees included Janet, the school principal, Glenn, the chemistry teacher, and Dan, the superintendent. ✘

When Not to Use a Semicolon

Just like with colons, knowing when not to use a semicolon is just as important as knowing when you should. Let’s take a look at some common mistakes to avoid.

Before an Independent Clause Linked with a Conjunction

A semicolon is not required before a conjunction that joins two independent clauses. In these cases, a comma is the proper punctuation. For example:

She wanted to go hiking; but it started raining. ✘

She wanted to go hiking, but it started raining. ✔

Before a Conjunctive Adverb Used Midsentence

A conjunctive adverb can be used to join two independent clauses, but it can also be placed in the middle of a sentence to act as an aside or to add emphasis. When used this way, the word either takes no punctuation or is set off with commas; it is not preceded by a semicolon:

I adore live music and; therefore buy tickets for every concert. ✘

I adore live music and therefore buy tickets for every concert. ✔

Some gigs; however, really aren’t worth the money. ✘

Some gigs, however, really aren’t worth the money. ✔

Between Items in Simple Lists

You also don’t need to use semicolons in simple, straightforward lists. Semicolons are reserved for lists of items that already contain commas, which would otherwise lead to confusion. For simple lists, even if items are more than a single word, commas separating the items are enough: 

I bought white bread; crunchy peanut butter; raspberry jelly; and marshmallows. ✘

I bought white bread, crunchy peanut butter, raspberry jelly, and marshmallows. ✔

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