To: Be or Not To Be
Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast (Romeo and Juliet).
Incorrect: think: ‘wisely and slow’ cannot stand as an independent clause.
Used between two-related sentences without the conjugation.
Semicolon
Return the letter in its original envelope to: 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton.
Incorrect - ‘return the letter in its original envelope to’ cannot stand as a clause on its own.
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? (Julius Caesar).
Incorrect: the clauses before and after the colon must be independent clauses.
Used to theatrically introduce an idea.
Colon
I ate pizza for dinner last night; soup tonight.
Incorrect - for semicolons, both clauses must be able to stand on its own.
Woe, destruction, ruin, and decay; the worst is death and death will have his day (Richard II).
Incorrect: remember both pieces of information on either side of the semicolon must be complete and independent.
Can be used as a ‘glue’ to connect two opposing ideas.
Colon
The following group members were assigned to the Airs and Graces chapter of Eats, Shoots, and Leaves: Tiffinia, Saniya, and Stephanie.
Correct - information before the colon can stand independently.
We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep (The Tempest).
Incorrect: there is no need for a semicolon between two conjoined ‘clauses.’
Used in sentences where a comma wouldn’t make grammatical sense.
Semicolon
Three important characteristics a restaurant server must possess are: patience, charisma, and adaptability.
Incorrect - there is no need whatsoever for a colon.
Used to introduce examples or a list of items.
Colon
For Halloween this year, my three friends are dressing up as a loud, scary, and bloodthirsty witch, a lethargic, melancholy, and reclusive teenager, and a regal, resplendent, and authoritative Queen.
Incorrect - for sentences with complex clauses, meaning they, too, contain multiple commas, it is encouraged that individuals use semicolons to separate the clauses to minimize confusion.
Blank Space: Nice to meet you Where you been? I could show you incredible things Magic, madness, heaven, sin Saw you there and I thought oh my god Look at that face, you look like my next mistake.
[DOUBLE OR HALF] >:D
Correct answer: It’s nice to meet you – where have you been? I could show you incredible things: magic, madness, heaven or sin. I saw you there and thought, “Oh my God, look at that face; you look like my next mistake.