Answer these questions to show your understanding of how to use semicolons and colons.

Question

If you are trying to join two different but connected independent clauses, would you use a semicolon or a colon?
If you are joining two independent clauses where one clause introduces a short list, would you use a semicolon or a colon?
If you are joining two independent clauses where the second clause clarifies the first, would you use a semicolon or a colon?
Should you use a conjunction after a semicolon that separates two independent clauses?

Answer 1

1. If you are trying to join two different but connected independent clauses, you would use a semicolon.

2. If you are joining two independent clauses where one clause introduces a short list, you would use a colon.

3. If you are joining two independent clauses where the second clause clarifies the first, you would use a colon.

4. You should not use a conjunction after a semicolon that separates two independent clauses; the semicolon itself serves to link the clauses without the need for an additional conjunction.