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Even expert English writers have trouble with figuring out how to use a semicolon and colon. Therefore, it comes as little surprise to learn that foreign students have an especially hard time with it. While this may not be the easiest form of punctuation to master, there are actually quite a few rules and tricks that can help you.
If you are eager to learn what these are, then you have come to the right place. Below, you will discover the proper use of semicolon and colon, making your writing seem a lot more polished. Here is what you need to know: the semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses, without using a coordinating conjunction; the colon is used to introduce a list of items or ideas.
At PapersOwl.com, you can find helpful articles and resources to help you understand the proper use of semicolons and colons.
How to Use Semicolon in an Academic Essay
In this section, you will learn how and when to use semicolon in an academic essay or research paper. First, though, let's take a moment to understand what this form of punctuation actually is and why it is used at all.
In essence, a semicolon is used to join two independent clauses that are related in some manner. In many instances, it is added to a sentence instead of a conjunction. This, however, is not the extent of the semicolon rules.
An easy way to consider this type of punctuation is by looking at the symbol (;). It is a comma that is topped by a period. This is to indicate that while this symbol does signal a longer pause than a comma, it isn’t quite as final as a period.
Here is a complete list of the rules for semicolons:
- Rule 1: a semicolon can be used to replace a period only when the two sentences can be linked with one another through a similar idea or structure. This only works when there are two independent clauses in the sentence.
- Rule 2: you can use this punctuation mark before conjunctive adverbs such as therefore and for example. However, this is only allowed if these terms are introducing an independent clause.
- Rule 3: there is cause for using semicolons in a list. If you need to separate units of words, then a semicolon will be used instead of a comma to do so.
- Rule 4: this symbol can be used instead of connecting words such as and, but, or, etc. provided that it is used to separate two independent clauses. Also, there must be several commas in the first clause to be able to use a semicolon in this instance.
Rules of Using Colons
Now, let's take a look at when to use a colon in an essay or another piece of academic paper. While most people are quite familiar with the symbol (:), there is still some confusion regarding how to work into a sentence. This is because most individuals simply assume that colons are only used for lists.
Although this symbol is most commonly used to introduce a list, this form of punctuation is also placed before an explanation. Using the colon in a variety of ways shows professors and other academics that you have a firmer grasp of the English language.
To further emphasize how colons can be utilized, let's identify all of the rules associated with it:
- Rule 1: a colon can be used to introduce a list in a sentence or one that is numbered or bulleted. If it is used to highlight a list in a sentence, then the first clause must be independent.
- Rule 2: this symbol can be used in between two sentences as long as the second clause illustrates the purpose or meaning of the first.
- Rule 3: the punctuation mark can be placed before extended quotations, especially paragraphs.
- Rule 4: in an official letter, a colon can be used after the initial greeting.
Examples of Using Semicolons and Colons in College Essays
To give you a better idea of how these punctuation marks can be used in college essays and papers, here are some examples to look to:
- I have to get to work early tomorrow; I can't go to the party today.
- She got the reward that she deserved: she really earned that medal.
- There were going to be meetings held in Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, California; Boston, Massachusetts; and many other cities.
- I need the following ingredients for my recipe: flour, eggs, milk, butter, and chocolate.
The information in this article should give you some guidance when using a colon or semicolon. Despite this, it still can be rather difficult to get the hang of it right away. This is why you may also want to hire a service that offers an "edit my college essay" service to students. You can then be quite certain that you will not be making any mistakes.
Getting any academic help, particularly from professional dissertation writers, can really make a difference in your grades and make completing your program much easier for you. Last-minute essay writer services can provide the extra support you need to get ahead, so it's something all students should consider if they want to achieve success in their studies.
