Colons and semi-colons
You learn the colon for a list or explanation, and the semi-colon for two linked clauses.
How to do the test
- If a list or an explanation follows a complete clause, use a colon.
- If two complete clauses are closely linked, use a semi-colon.
Put a colon or a semi-colon in the right place. You will need three things a pencil, a ruler and a rubber.
- What comes next is a list.
- A colon introduces a list or an explanation after a complete clause.
- The colon goes after things.
More examples
Put a colon or a semi-colon in the right place. The sun set the sky turned red.
- The sentence has two main clauses that are closely linked.
- A semi-colon can join two such clauses instead of a full stop.
- The semi-colon goes after set.
Put a colon or a semi-colon in the right place. The shop sold only fruit apples, pears and plums.
- What comes next is a list.
- A colon introduces a list or an explanation after a complete clause.
- The colon goes after fruit.