English
How do you use semicolons and colons, and what is the difference?
Quick answer
A semicolon (;) joins two closely related sentences or separates items in a long list. A colon (:) comes after a complete sentence to introduce a list, an explanation or an example.
In one sentence
A semicolon (;) joins two closely linked sentences of equal weight, while a colon (:) comes after a complete sentence and points forward to a list, an explanation or an example.
Explained
Semicolons and colons look alike, and both sit inside a sentence, but they do different jobs. A handy way to remember: a semicolon is a balance, with two equal halves on either side; a colon is an arrow, saying "here it comes".
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The semicolon is stronger than a comma but weaker than a full stop (period). It has three main uses:
- Joining two related sentences. The sun was setting; the sky turned orange. Each half is a complete sentence (an independent clause). You could use a full stop instead, but the semicolon shows the two ideas belong together.
- Before a linking adverb such as however, therefore, meanwhile or otherwise, with a comma after it: I studied hard; however, the test was tricky.
- In a complex list, where the items already contain commas: The winners came from Leeds, England; Cork, Ireland; and Cardiff, Wales.
The simplest semicolon test: cover one side. Is the other side a full sentence? Now cover the other side. If both halves can stand alone, a semicolon can join them. (The list use is the only exception.)
The colon comes after a complete sentence and introduces something that explains, lists or completes it:
- A list: You will need three things: a torch, a map and some water.
- An explanation or reason: We stayed inside: it was pouring with rain.
- A dramatic reveal or example: She had one dream: to visit Japan.
- A quotation: The sign said it clearly: "Keep off the grass."
The part after a colon can be a single word, a list or a whole sentence. The part before it must make sense on its own. Colons also appear in times (9:30), ratios (3:1), titles with subtitles (Space: A Visual Guide) and, in American business letters, after the greeting (Dear Ms. Lee:).
Why bother? Both marks let you show the relationship between ideas. A full stop just says "next idea". A semicolon says "these two go together". A colon says "this next part explains the first part". Good writers use them sparingly, which is why one well-placed semicolon can make an essay sound sharp and controlled.
Examples
| Sentence | Mark | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maya loves football; her brother prefers chess. | semicolon | two related sentences, balanced |
| It was cold; therefore, we wore coats. | semicolon | before a linking adverb |
| We met Ana, a doctor; Ben, a pilot; and Cleo, a chef. | semicolons | list items already contain commas |
| Bring the following: a pencil, a ruler and an eraser. | colon | introduces a list |
| He had one fear: spiders. | colon | introduces the answer (one word) |
| The match is at 4:15. | colon | time |
Worked example: punctuate I wanted to go out it was raining. Both parts are complete sentences, so you could write I wanted to go out; it was raining. To make the contrast clearer, add a linking adverb: I wanted to go out; however, it was raining.
Common mistakes
- A colon straight after a verb or preposition. My favourite colours are: red and blue is wrong because "My favourite colours are" is not complete. Fix: delete the colon, or write I have two favourite colours: red and blue.
- A semicolon before an incomplete part. Because I was tired; I went to bed is wrong: "Because I was tired" cannot stand alone. Use a comma.
- The comma splice. It was cold, we wore coats joins two sentences with only a comma. Fix: use a semicolon, a full stop, or add so.
- A semicolon with "and" or "but". I like apples; and pears is wrong. A semicolon replaces the joining word: I like apples; my sister likes pears.
Step by step
Step by step
- Find the sentencesLook at the two parts you want to join. Can each part stand alone as a full sentence?
- Ask about the relationshipAre the two ideas equal and closely linked? Use a semicolon. Does the second part explain, list or reveal something about the first? Use a colon.
- Check the part beforeFor a colon, the part before must be complete. For a semicolon, both parts must be complete.
- Look for linking adverbsIf the second part starts with however, therefore or meanwhile, put a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
- Check long listsIf any list item already has a comma inside it, separate the items with semicolons.
Read your sentence aloud: a semicolon is a medium pause, a colon a pause that makes the listener wait for what comes next.
Practice questions
Semicolon or colon?
Try each one, then check your answer.
- Add a semicolon: The sun was setting the sky turned orange.
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The sun was setting**;** the sky turned orange. - Colon or semicolon? I need three things ___ a torch, a map and water.
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Colon: a complete sentence introduces a list. - Colon or semicolon? Maya loves football ___ her brother prefers chess.
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Semicolon: two related, equal sentences. - Add the missing mark: She had one dream to visit Japan.
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She had one dream**:** to visit Japan. - Correct or incorrect? I bought: apples, pears and plums.
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Incorrect: the colon cuts the verb off from what was bought. Write I bought apples, pears and plums. - Fix the comma splice with a semicolon: It was cold, we wore coats.
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It was cold; we wore coats. - Punctuate: The test was hard however everyone passed.
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The test was hard**; however,** everyone passed. - Is the semicolon correct? Because I was tired; I went to bed.
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No: the first part cannot stand alone. Use a comma: Because I was tired, I went to bed. - Correct the mistake: My favourite colours are: red, blue and green.
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My favourite colours are red, blue and green. (Remove the colon.) - Colon or semicolon? Dad cooked dinner ___ Mum washed up.
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Semicolon: two balanced, related sentences. - Add semicolons: The team visited Leeds, England, Cork, Ireland, and Cardiff, Wales.
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Leeds, England**;** Cork, Ireland**;** and Cardiff, Wales. - Join with a semicolon and a linking adverb: I wanted to go out. It was raining.
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I wanted to go out**; however,** it was raining. - Punctuate the list: Our guests were Ana, a doctor, Ben, a pilot, and Cleo, a chef.
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Ana, a doctor**;** Ben, a pilot**;** and Cleo, a chef. - Which is correct, and why? He had one fear: spiders. / He had one fear; spiders.
Show answer
The colon: "spiders" is not a full sentence, so a semicolon cannot be used.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a semicolon and a colon?
A semicolon joins two complete, equally important sentences. A colon introduces something that explains or lists what came before. Think balance (;) versus arrow (:).
How do you use semicolons in a list?
Use them only when the list items already contain commas, so the reader can see where each item ends: Rome, Italy; Lima, Peru; and Oslo, Norway. In a simple list, commas are enough.
Do you use a capital letter after a colon?
In British English, usually not, unless the next word is a name or a quotation starts. Some American style guides capitalise a complete sentence after a colon. Follow your school's style and be consistent.
Can you use a semicolon before "and"?
Normally no: a semicolon replaces and or but. The exception is a complex list, where a semicolon can come before the final and.
What are commas, semicolons and colons called?
They are all punctuation marks. Semicolons and colons are sometimes called "internal punctuation" because they work inside a sentence, unlike a full stop.
How do you type a semicolon and a colon on a keyboard?
On standard US and UK keyboards, the semicolon key is just to the right of L. Hold Shift and press the same key to get a colon.
Quick quiz
Semicolons and colons
Check what you know with 4 quick questions.
Question 1 of 4
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
Practise it
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For grown-ups
Related topics
Commas
A comma is a punctuation mark that shows a short pause or separates parts of a sentence, such as items in a list, a fronted adverbial, or extra information.
Clauses
A clause is a group of words that contains a verb and usually a subject. A main clause makes sense on its own; a subordinate clause needs a main clause to complete it.
Full stops
A full stop (called a period in the US) is the dot that ends a sentence that is a statement or a calm command. It tells the reader the idea is finished.
Sentences
A sentence is a group of words that makes complete sense on its own. It starts with a capital letter, ends with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark, and usually has a verb.
Active and passive voice
In the active voice the subject does the action (The dog chased the ball). In the passive voice the subject receives it (The ball was chased by the dog), using be + past participle.
Parallel structure (parallelism)
Parallel structure means putting matching ideas in the same grammatical form, as in I like hiking, swimming and reading, not hiking, swimming and to read.