Semicolons and Colons

Semicolons, or the super commas and the glorified periods

1

*Rule 1:Use a SC to join

2 or more independent clauses (ICs) that are talking about the same thingAND are not connected by a coordinating conjunction

aka FANBOYS

GOOD or BAD? Dance is one way of celebrating music; so it’s natural to want to move to rhythm and sounds.

Dance is one way of celebrating music; it’s natural to want to move to rhythm and sounds.

*Rule 2: use a SC before a conjunctive adverb to connect 2 ICs. Put a comma after the CA.

Katniss feels strongly about Gale however it seems she has undefined stronger feelings for Peeta.

Katniss feels strongly about Gale; however it seems she has undefined stronger feelings for Peeta.

Katniss feels strongly about Gale; however, it seems she has undefined stronger feelings for Peeta.

Katniss feels strongly about Gale; however, it seems she has undefined, stronger feelings for Peeta.

*Comma splice:

NO.The Becker Splice:

Katniss feels strongly about Gale, it seems she has stronger feelings for Peeta.

NO.The Becker Splice:

Katniss feels strongly about Gale; however, it seems she has stronger feelings for Peeta.

Katniss feels strongly about Gale, but it seems she has stronger feelings for Peeta.

*Rule 3:Use a SC to separate groups that already contain commas

(super lists)

Every Saturday night my little brother gathers up his things—goggles, shower cap, and snorkel;

bubble bath, soap, and shampoo; his iPod, speakers, and rubber ducky—and heads for the

bathtub.

2Colons

*Rule 1: The colon introduces a list

Min has plenty of cars: a Mustang, a Cadillac, a BMW, and a vintage Maybach. Min has: a mustang, a Cadillac, a BMS, and a vintage Maybach.

*Rule 2: It introduces a sentence, question, or quotation

How does the following quote relate to Katniss: “Leaders are made, they are not born”?

*Rule 3: It emphasizes a word, a phrase, a clause, or a sentence that adds impact to the main idea

There are two words that have helped me become a stronger, better person: so what.