Semicolons and Colons - English Grammar Lesson
This lesson explains semicolons and colons in simple English, with rules and examples for students and exam preparation.
Rule
A semicolon joins closely related independent clauses. A colon introduces a list, explanation or quotation.
Examples
- I was tired
- I went to bed.
- You need three things: courage, time and effort.
Common Mistake
| Incorrect | I was tired, I went to bed |
|---|---|
| Correct | I was tired; I went to bed |
Practice Tip
Write three original sentences about this topic, then check each one against the rule above.
Related: Parts of Speech and English Tenses.