Colons and semi-colons

In a nutshell

Colons and semi-colons are different. Being able to use them correctly can give writing more impact by making what is said clearer for the reader. Both colons and semi-colons can be used to join independent clauses, which make sense on their own by making them part of one sentence. In this summary, you will learn how to use colons and semi-colons.

Colons

How to use	Examples
Colons can be used to introduce a list	I need ingredients for tonight's dinner: a whole chicken, four tomatoes, a bag of rice, flour and sugar.
Colons can go before bullet points	Come by Mr. Stretch's Magical Circus! Here are some of our attractions: Bumper cars, rollercoasters, ferris wheels and more Exciting shows with lions and bears The UK'S biggest indoor arcade
Colons introduce explanations	The dog was feeling tired: he'd spent the whole afternoon playing fetch!
Colons join together two main clauses that are closely related	Zoe was confused: she had followed the directions on the map but still ended up lost. Both sentences would make sense separated: Zoe was confused. She had followed the directions on the map but still ended up lost.

Semi-colons

How to use	Examples
Semi-colons break up lists	At the beach: we ate sugary doughnuts; built sandcastles; I found a starfish and my baby sister played in the sea for the first time.
Semi-colons can be used to separate two independent main clauses that are closely related	The dog was feeling very tired; he slept all afternoon.

Main differences

Name	How to use	Example	Explanation
Colon	A colon introduces an explanation and more detailed information.	The kids were up past their bedtime: their mum was asleep.	The use of the colon here shows that the kids were still awake because their mum was already asleep.
Semi-colon	A semi-colon connects two equally important parts of sentences.	The kids were up past their bedtime; their mum was asleep.	The use of a semi-colon here shows that both parts of this sentence are happening at the same time and are therefore related. However, it does not explain why the kids were up past their bedtime.