Mod 5 - Semicolons and Colons - Business English

Special Use of colons

Business and letter salutations Website addresses Time Ratios Publication Titles Capitalizations following colons

Special use of semicolons continued

If the list or explanation that follows the introductory expression is not a series or an independent clause, use commas before and after the introductory expression. Example We are proposing many new additions to the health care package, for example, holistic medicine and chiropractic benefits. (Commas are used because the phrase (for example) introduces neither a series nor an independent clause.) The introductory expressions may introduce parenthetical words within sentences. Example The biggest health problem facing employees, namely, workplace stress, costs U.S. employers about $300 billion annually. (Commas are used because the introductory expression (namely) introduces a single item.

A series of short independent clauses may be separated by commas.

Facebook was founded in 2004, it opened to the public in 2006, and it started selling its stock in 2012. A comma is placed after the number 2004, and another comma is placed after the number 2006.

Business Letter Salutations

Place a colon after the salutation of a business letter when mixed punctuation is used. Examples Dear Dr. Wash burn: Dear Human Resources: Dear Anita: (Omit the colon after the salutation when open punctuation is used.) Open has no punctuation marks Mixed consists of a colon after salutation and comma use after the complimentary close Closed has a comma after salutation and complimentary close.

Publication Titles

Place a colon between titles and subtitles of books, articles, and other publications. Examples (Book Title) The millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of Americas's Wealthy Article title "The Fuel Powering Corporate America: $2.4 Trillion in Private Fundraising"

Long Quotations

Quotations present the exact words of a speaker or writer and are enclosed in quotation marks. (Use a colon to introduce long one-sentence quotations and quotations of two or more sentences.) Mignon Fogarty, creator of the Grammar Girl website, said: "Clarity is the most important characteristic of good business writing. Often businesspeople will use big $10 words because they want to sound intelligent. Instead, they end up sounding like they're trying too hard."

Final word

Remember to use semicolons in compound sentences only when two ideas are better presented together.

Comma Splice and Run-ons

Run-on happens when two independent clauses are put together in one sentence without punctuations or coordinating conjunctions. Example: We bought nails we bought a hammer. (can fix by adding semicolon or a comma and a conjunction like and.) A comma splice is an inappropriate joining of two independent clauses by using a comma. Example: I love little Tony 2: Pony up to the streets, its my favorite movie in the little tony franchise. (We can use a conjunction like and, or a semicolon, which I feel is the best option.)

Series containing Internal Commas or Complete Thoughts

Semicolons are used to separate items in a series when one or more of the items in the series contain commas. Example: According to Harvard Business Review, the three best-performing CEOs in the world are Pablo Isla, Inditex; Martin Sorrell, WPP; and Jensen Huang, Nvidia. Semicolons are also used to separate three or more independent clauses that appear in a series and contain internal commas. Example: The first step consists of surveying all available information related to the company objective so that an understanding of all problems can be reached; the second step involves interviewing consumers, wholesalers, and retailers; and the third step consists of developing a research design in which the actual methods and procedures to be used are indicated.

Basic Uses of the Semicolon

Semicolons tell readers that two closely related ideas should be thought of together. The semicolon is a stronger punctuation mark than the comma Not as strong as the period The most basic use of the semicolon occurs In compound sentences

Mod 5 Quiz - Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

The Web has changed how individuals access information in many areas: e.g., government, banking, and retail. (Wrong) The Web has changed how individuals access information in many areas; e.g., government, banking, and retail. (Right) (The introductory expression for example can be abbreviated e.g. As a result, use a semicolon before the abbreviation and a comma after it because it is followed by a series. A series consists of three or more items. Therefore, the series in this sentence is government, banking, and retail.)

Module 5 - EdPuzzle

The cat jumped from the roof to my car; however, it did not leave a scratch. (Right) The cat scratched my car; when he jumped on it. (Wrong) The elephants at the zoo had just been fed and the zoo gates were closing; Ethel, the oldest female, however, refused to return to her cage. (Right) Whether or not the boy was running from the cop with the stolen PlayStation in his hands; he should never have been out that late to begin with. (Wrong) She was incredibly sad; the girl just didn't know what to do about her friend Brenda, who was failing all of her classes. (Right) He took one last, long breath before he plunged into the ACT exam; a test that would decide where he would spend his next four years. (Wrong) The terms of the prisoners release were still being negotiated; as the general made the announcement that he was free. (Wrong)

Explanatory Sentences

Use a colon to separate two independent clauses if the second clause explains, illustrates, or supplements the first. Example The company's new directors faced a perplexing dilemma: they had to choose between declaring bankruptcy and investing more funds to recoup previous losses. (The second clause explains what the dilemma is.)

Learning objectives

Use semicolons correctly in punctuating compound sentences. Use semicolons when necessary to separate items in a series. Learn the proper use of colons to introduce listed items. Correctly use colons to introduce long quotations and explanatory sentences. Distinguish between the use of commas and semicolons preceding expressions such as namely, that is, and for instance. Use colons appropriately in business letter salutations, website addresses, time, ratios, and publication titles; and be able to capitalize words following colons when necessary.

Independent Clauses Separated by Conjunctive Adverbs

Use semicolons when two independent clauses are separated by a conjunctive adverb. In the following sentences, the clauses on both sides of the conjunctive adverb are independent. Example: Kevin Powell wanted to improve his presentation skills; consequently, he joined Toastmasters International. Commas are not used after one-syllable conjunctive adverbs such as hence, thus, and then unless a strong pause is desired. Example: Toastmasters International was founded in 1924; thus it has many years of experience as the world's premier public speaking organization.

Special use of semicolons

When introductory expressions such as (for example), for instance, that is, and (namely) immediately follow independent clauses, they may be preceded by either commas or semicolons. If the words following the introductory expressions form a series or independent clause, use a semicolon before the introductory expression and a comma after it. Example Google offers unique cost-free benefits to its employees; for instance, unlimited gourmet food and snacks, rides to and from work, on-site massage therapy, paid maternity and paternity leave, and ample time off to pursue outside passions.

Mod 5 Quiz Cont. 4

Which sentence is expressed correctly? A well-known document designer has one cardinal rule: Limit your design to four colors. (Right) A well-known document designer has one cardinal rule: limit your design to four colors. (Wrong)

Mod 5 Quiz Cont. 9

Which sentence is expressed correctly? The three M's for successful training programs are the following: meals, money, and movement. (Correct) The three M's for successful training programs are the following: Meals, Money, and Movement. (Wrong) Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Lou Holtz said: "All winning teams are goal-oriented. Teams like these win consistently because everyone connected with them concentrates on specific objectives." (Correct) Lou Holtz said; "All winning teams are goal-oriented. Teams like these win consistently because everyone connected with them concentrates on specific objectives." (Wrong) Lou Holtz said, "All winning teams are goal-oriented. Teams like these win consistently because everyone connected with them concentrates on specific objectives." (Wrong)

Mod 5 Quiz Cont. 8

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Companies with liberal return policies tend to lose money on the returns; still such policies strengthen customer loyalty. (Correct) Companies with liberal return policies tend to lose money on the returns; still, such policies strengthen customer loyalty. (Wrong) Companies with liberal return policies tend to lose money on the returns, still, such policies strengthen customer loyalty. (Wrong) Which sentence is punctuated correctly? The commencement speaker encouraged us to "dream big" as we entered the job force. (Correct) The commencement speaker encouraged us to, "Dream big" as we entered the job force. (Wrong)

Mod 5 quiz (Cont.)

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Customer service must be a priority of all employees; ignoring our customer needs will surely put us out of business. (right) Which sentence is punctuated correctly? The plan is missing one key element: adequate funding. (Correct) The plan is missing one key element; adequate funding. (Wrong)

Semicolon video notes part 2

Connect the first part of a sentence with another clause that's closely related to it, without using a conjunction. Semicolon should never go before a coordinating conjunction

Capitalization Following Colons

When a colon is used to introduce a series in sentence format, do not capitalize the first word after the colon unless it is a proper noun. Example The six Cs of effective business communication are the following: clarity, courtesy, conciseness, completeness, correctness, and confidence. When a colon is used to introduce a series in a vertical list, capitalize the first letter of each item in the list. Example To be legally enforceable, a contract must include at least three elements: Mutual assent of competent parties A consideration A lawful purpose

Words functioning as conjunctive adverbs may also serve as parenthetical adverbs.

Use semicolons only with conjunctive adverbs that join two independent clauses. Use commas to set off parenthetical adverbs that interrupt the flow of an independent clause. Example: We are sure, consequently, that strong leaders need strong communication skills. (The parenthetical adverb consequently is set off by commas.)

Basic uses of the colon: Listed Items

A colon is used after an independent clause that introduces one item, two items, or a list of items. Examples The best leaders possess one important trait: integrity. (an independent clause introduces a single item.) Effective leaders also possess two other important traits: optimism and confidence. (An independent clause introduces two single items.) A list following an independent clause may be shown horizontally in sentence form or vertically in list form and is usually introduced by such words as the following, as follows, these, or thus. Below, an introductory statement precedes a list of four items Example Text messages are now used to deliver the following types of information: medical, financial, educational, and political. Do not use a colon in a sentence unless the list is introduced by an independent clause. Example Six countries with nearly 100 percent literacy rates are Andorra, Finland, Greenland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Norway. (No colon is used because the introductory statement is not complete). Do not use a colon when an intervening sentence falls between the introductory statement and the list. Example According to a recent survey, these are the best companies to work for. The survey was conducted by Fortune. Salesforce Wegmans Food Markets Ultimate Software The Boston Consulting Group

Independent Clauses without Coordinating Conjunctions or Conjunctive Adverbs

Two or more closely related independent clauses not separated by a conjunctive adverb or coordinating conjunction require a semicolon. Example: Amazon.com generates most of its revenue through product sales; Amazon Prime subscription fees are another revenue source. Avoid making the following sentence-structure errors: Using a comma instead of a semicolon, resulting in a comma splice. Omitting the semicolon, resulting in a run-on sentence.

Mod 5 Quiz Cont. 6

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? General Barton Kyle Yount said: "Borders frequented by trade seldom need soldiers."(Wrong) General Barton Kyle Yount said, "Borders frequented by trade seldom need soldiers." (Right) (Short quotations should be introduced with a comma; long one-sentence quotations and quotations of two or more sentences should be introduced with a colon.)

Common conjunctive adverbs:

Accordingly, also, anyway, besides, conversely, for example, furthermore, in other words, in the meantime, indeed, likewise, moreover, namely, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the contrary, otherwise, similarly, subsequently, still, that is, then, therefore, thus.

Capitalization following Colons (Part 3)

Capitalize the first letter of a quotation that follows a colon. Example Fred, Rogers, popularly known as Mr. Rogers, once said: "Mutual caring relationships require kindness and patience, tolerance, optimism, joy in the other's achievements. confidence in oneself, and the ability to give without undue thought of gain."

Capitalization Following Colons (Part 2)

Do not capitalize the first letter of an independent clause following a colon if that clause explains or supplements the first one, unless the first word is a proper noun. Example Special Olympics has one overriding mission: through the power of sport, Special Olympics strives to help people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities. Capitalize the first letter of an independent clause following a colon if that clause states a formal rule or principle as a complete sentence. Example: Ancient Greece's Golden Rule should still be followed today: What you do not want to happen to you, do not do it yourself either.

Semicolon Examples

I don't want to ride the Mega Sky Coaster; I'm afraid of heights, and that ride sounds terrifying! (Semicolon works because clauses are sharing such similar information, and both are independent clauses.) I want to get a pet turtle; however, I think it might scare my baby brother. (You can also have a semicolon followed by an introductory adverb or a transitional phrase. You can have other clauses, and phrases and words in there, as long as the things you are linking together can stand on their own as individual sentences.)

Semicolons and Complex Lists Examples

I've lived in New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; and Knoxville, TN. (What makes this a Complex list is that all of the items in it have commas in it. If all had commas instead of semicolons, then could be very hard to interpret.) I need to buy a textbook, a workbook, and a dictionary for Spanish; a calculator for math; and a map for geography. (A complex list with a list inside of a list. To give the same information off without using semicolon, you would need to say: I need to buy a textbook for Spanish, a workbook for Spanish, a dictionary for Spanish, a calculator for math, and a map for geography. This is way too long of a sentence. Because semicolon is playing such a special roll in this particular complex list, it is sometimes referred to as a SUPER COMMA. It's essentially acting as a comma but removing some of the confusion that would occur if we had too many commas.) Summary When we have a list inside of another list, or elements in a list that already have commas in them, we use semicolons to separate all the elements to make sure the sentence is extra clear.

Incomplete quotations

Incomplete quotations that do not interrupt the flow of a sentence do not require a colon, a comma, or an initial capital letter. Example: Those who are successful in life tend to say "I can" in any type of situation.

Semicolon video notes

Its stronger than a comma and less final than a period. It can clarify ideas in a sentence that is already festooned with commas. Example Semicolon: At first, they may seem frightening, then, they become enlightening, finally, you'll find yourself falling for these delightful punctuation marks. (Too many commas and a bit confusing.) Semicolon: At first, they may seem frightening; then, they become enlightening; finally, you'll find yourself falling for these delightful punctuation marks. (The semicolon exerts more force than the commas do, cutting sentences into compartments, and grouping items that belong together.) The semicolon breaks things up; but also, it builds connections by linking together independent clauses. Example Semicolons were once a great mystery to me. I had no idea where to put them. Semicolons were once a great mystery to me; I had no idea where to put them. (Correct) (Imagine these appeared in a long list of other sentences all of the same length, and each separated by periods. Things would get monotonous very fast.) Unless they are being used in lists, semicolons should only connect clauses that are related in some way. The following example is wrong. A period would be best here because these are two separate ideas. Semicolons were once a great mystery to me; I'd really like a sandwich. (wrong) Semicolons were once a great mystery to me; now they no longer are. (right) You will almost never find a semicolon before coordinating conjunctions and, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet. That is a commas place, but a semicolon can replace a conjunction to shorten a sentence or to give it some variety. Summary Semicolon can give writing better clarity, force, and style.

Semicolon

Join two independent clauses without using a conjunction like and. Generally, don't use a capital letter after semicolon. Only use capital letter only if the word is a proper noun or acronym. (We can go to the museum to do some research; Mondays are pretty quiet there.) Semicolons are not interchangeable with commas or periods. Stronger than a comma but not quite as divisive period. Can use to join two closely related independent clauses. The group of words that comes before the semicolon should form a complete sentence, the group of words that comes after the semicolon should form a complete sentence, and the two sentences should share a close, logistical connection (I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch; life's too short for counting calories) (Money is the root of all evil; I don't believe the reverse is necessarily true.) (Martha has gone to the library; Andrew has gone to play soccer.) Using a comma instead of a semicolon in the sentences above would result in a comma splice. Delete the Conjunction when you use a semicolon between two independent clauses. I saw a magnificent albatross, and it was eating a mouse or I saw a magnificent albatross; it was eating a mouse. You need a comma plus something to avoid a comma splice. (either a conjunction or semicolon). If semicolons can link independent clauses that would otherwise have a period or a conjunction between them, that means they can demonstrate contrast, too. Examples: This is part of the same rule, but the conjunction in question is "but instead of "and." This is part of the same rule; the conjunction in question is "but" instead of "and." A semicolon links up two related ideas by narrowing the gap between the ideas of two separate sentences or by replacing a conjunction between two related ideas. That goes for showing contrast, too: just because two ideas are opposed or contradictory, that doesn't mean they aren't related closely enough to earn themselves a semicolon.

Longer quotations

Longer quotations that will take up more than four printed lines are placed in a separate paragraph without quotation marks. Indent the left and right margins to set the quote apart from its introductory sentence and any sentence that follows. Patricia T. O'Connor, author and former editor at New York Times Book Review, explains why grammar is so difficult for many people: We all come from the factory wired for language. By the time we know what it is, we've got it. Toddlers don't think about language; they just talk. Grammar is a later addition, an ever-evolving set of rules for using words in ways that we can all agree upon. But the laws of grammar come and go. English today isn't what it was 100 years ago, and it's not what it will be 100 years from now.

Mod 5 Quiz Cont. 7

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Lou Holtz said: "All winning teams are goal-oriented. Teams like these win consistently because everyone connected with them concentrates on specific objectives." (Correct) Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Many companies are facing a serious crisis: their sales have decreased. (Correct) Many companies are facing a serious crisis, their sales have decreased. (Wrong) Which sentence is punctuated correctly? A department manager often uses the following skills: direction, facilitation, and mediation. (Correct) A department manager often uses the following skills; direction, facilitation, and mediation. (Wrong)

Mod Quiz 5 Cont. 10

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Many companies are struggling because of decreased sales; Powertex is one company that has seen a 35 percent drop in revenue. (Correct) Many companies are struggling because of decreased sales, Powertex is one company that has seen a 35 percent drop in revenue. (Wrong)

Mod Quiz 5 Cont. 5

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Standardized tests are often used by schools to measure student success; however, they are often criticized as discriminating against minorities. (Right) Which sentence is punctuated correctly? We collected many signatures, then we submitted the petition. (Wrong) We collected many signatures; then we submitted the petition. (RIght) (Conjunctive adverbs consisting of one syllable (then) are preceded by a semicolon. When the conjunctive adverb has only one syllable, putting a comma after it is not required, unless a strong pause is desired.)

Mod 5 Quiz Cont. 2

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? These are the traits that will help you be promoted: a strong work ethic, effective communication skills, and integrity. (Right) These are the traits that will help you be promoted; a strong work ethic, effective communication skills, and integrity. (Wrong) Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Invitations to the meeting must be sent to Jill Harrison, president, XMI Technologies; Bill Kolstad, CEO, Watson Manufacturing; and Ron Keys, sales consultant, Hotbot Solutions. (Right)

Mod 5 Quiz Cont. 3

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Two important issues keep the two sides divided; namely, salary and benefits. (Wrong) Two important issues keep the two sides divided, namely, salary and benefits. (Right) (This sentence includes the introductory expression namely. However, the information following this expression is not a series or an independent clause. As a result, use a comma before and after this introductory expression.)