How do you use a semicolon in a list examples?
This time, the list items themselves contain commas. It is now appropriate to use semicolons as separators to outrank those commas. For example: I have been to Newcastle, Carlisle, and York in the North; Bristol, Exeter, and Portsmouth in the South; and Cromer, Norwich, and Lincoln in the East.
Do you use a colon or semicolon for a list?
Semicolons separate items within a list, while a colon precedes and introduces a list. He took three things on the hike; his lunch, his binoculars, and his trusty walking stick.
When to use a semicolon instead of a comma in a list?
Usually, we use a comma to separate three items or more in a list. However, if one or more of these items contain commas, then you should use a semicolon, instead of a comma, to separate the items and avoid potential confusion.
Do you need a semicolon before and in a list?
The general rule is to use the semicolons as you would use commas with ordinary list items: Sentences containing complex lists are complicated enough that you should always include the final semicolon to ensure that readers parse all of the list items properly without having to reread the sentence several times.
Which Colon comes before a list?
Use a colon to introduce an item or list, if the list comes after a complete sentence or independent clause. For example: There are three things every dog needs: food, water and healthcare.
How do you use a colon and semicolon in a list?
Colons (:) are used in sentences to show that something is following, like a quotation, example, or list. Semicolons (;) are used to join two independent clauses, or two complete thoughts that could stand alone as complete sentences.
What is the correct punctuation for a list?
Punctuate the list items with commas if they are not complete sentences; with semicolons, if they are complete sentences. Use the same spacing for in-sentence lists as in regular non-list text. Whenever possible, make the in-sentence list occur at the end of the sentence.
How do you list after a colon?
When listing items one by one, one per line, following a colon, capitalization and ending punctuation are optional when using single words or phrases preceded by letters, numbers, or bullet points. If each point is a complete sentence, capitalize the first word and end the sentence with appropriate ending punctuation.
How do you use a colon to introduce a list?
Use a colon after an ‘independent clause’ to introduce a list. The most common use of the colon is to introduce both unformatted and bulleted lists. To use the colon correctly in American English, you must make sure that sentence that comes before the colon is a complete, grammatical sentence.
How do you write a list in a sentence with a colon?
Rule 1: Use the colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items when introductory words such as namely, for example, or that is do not apply or are not appropriate. Examples: You may be required to bring many items: sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing.
What is the purpose of a semicolon?
A semicolon has two general uses: to clarify a series and to indicate two closely related sentences. Series—If one or more elements in a series contain a comma, use semicolons to separate them. Include a semicolon before the final conjunction.
What is the proper way to use a semicolon?
Semicolons with independent clauses Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses in place of a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet). Make sure when you use the semicolon that the connection between the two independent clauses is clear without the coordinating conjunction.
What words do you use a semicolon after?
2. Use a semicolon between independent clauses linked with a transitional expression.
| after all | even so | in fact |
|---|---|---|
| as a matter of fact | for example | in other words |
| as a result | for instance | in the first place |
| at any rate | in addition | on the contrary |
| at the same time | in conclusion | on the other hand |
What are the three semicolon rules?
Three Essential Semicolon Rules
- Rule 1: Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are closely related in theme.
- Rule 2: Use a semicolon before conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases that join independent clauses.
What can I use instead of a semicolon?
But you shouldn’t use a semicolon and a conjunction. That means when you use a semicolon, you use it instead of the ands, buts, and ors; you don’t need both. Here’s a hint: if you used a comma and an “and” to link two related ideas, think of the period (you know, the top part of the semicolon) as a replacement “and.”
Do you put a space after a semicolon?
Place one space after a comma, a semicolon, and other forms of punctuation falling within a sentence.
How many times do you space after a semicolon?
With a computer, use only one space following periods, commas, semicolons, colons, exclamation points, question marks, and quotation marks. The space needed after these punctuation marks is proportioned automatically. Use no spaces on either side of a hyphen.
Can you put a fanboy after a semicolon?
Semicolons take the place of periods or commas followed by coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Semicolons should be used before conjunctive adverbs (however, meanwhile, therefore, otherwise, in addition, and others) to link together sentences.
How many spaces do you put after a colon?
One space
Should you use one or two spaces between sentences?
Nearly all style guides agree that one space is correct. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) was the only style guide that overtly recommended two spaces after a period, and even that long-time holdout for two spaces changed its guideline to one space in its 2019 update.
Do you need 2 spaces after a period?
According to the AP Stylebook, single-spacing is correct. The same goes for the Chicago Manual of Style. However, the Modern Language Association Style Center offers different advice, and suggests that writers use a single space after a period unless they have been explicitly told otherwise.
Do you capitalize after a colon?
Here’s our suggestion: generally, the first word following the colon should be lower-cased if the words after the colon form a dependent clause (that is, if they could not stand on their own as a complete sentence). If the following phrase is a complete (independent) clause, you may choose to capitalize it or not.
Do you capitalize after a colon Chicago Manual of Style?
Capitalization. It’s fine to capitalize there, although Chicago style is to lowercase after a colon unless what follows consists of two or more complete sentences.
How many spaces should be between sentences?
Always put exactly one space between sentences. Or more generally: put exactly one space after any punctuation. Here’s a paragraph with one space between sentences: I know that many people were taught to put two spaces between sentences.
When did we stop putting 2 spaces after a period?
With the introduction of the typewriter in the late 19th century, typists used two spaces between sentences to mimic the style used by traditional typesetters. While wide sentence spacing was phased out in the printing industry in the mid-20th century, the practice continued on typewriters and later on computers.
Why do people put one space after a period?
The two-space convention is left over from the days of typewriters. (This is called a mono-spaced font.) With a typewriter, it makes sense to add an extra space to make it clear that the sentence has ended. Today’s word-processing software makes fonts proportional, though, which is why we only need one space.
Do you double space after a period MLA?
Leave one space after a period or other concluding punctuation mark, unless your instructor prefers two spaces. Whichever spacing you choose, be sure to use it consistently throughout your paper. See the MLA’s formatting guidelines for more information.
How many spaces after a period is legal?
two spaces
Do you space after a comma?
Put a space after a comma. Do not put a space before a comma. In a sentence, the last two items usually do not need a comma between them as they are separated by “and”.