Semi-colon

The semi-colon ";" is used when a greater pause is required than that shown by the comma.

Semicolon Sign

(i) It is used to separate constituent parts of a compound sentence from one another.

As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him.

(ii) It is used to separate a series of loosely connected clauses.

Reading maketh a full man; speaking a ready man; writing an exact man.

Colon

The colon ":" may be used at the writers own discretion. If he thinks that the pause is not sufficiently marked by a semi-colon, the colon is used.

Colon Punctuation

(i) It may introduce an additional remark in explanation or in confirmation of an earlier statement:

Always take good care of your health:

There is no happiness in life without it.

(ii) It may be used to introduce a quotation. It is often followed by a dash: Shakespeare wrote: "Frailty thy name is woman".

(iii) It may be used to introduce a series of clause.

We must know the various uses of glass: we make mirrors; it is used for making lenses; it is used in windows to protect us against wind and dust.


    


Note of Interrogation

A Note of interrogation "?" is used after sentences which ask a question. It serves at the end of the sentence and thereby the sentences that follow must begin with a capital.

Interrogation Sign

What did he do? We want to know that.

Note of Exclamation

A Note of Exclamation "!" is used after word/words or sentences which express emotion:

Exclamation Sign

Nonsense! I don't believe it.

Oh my God! He failed again.

What a great man he was!




Grammer Topics

Sentence Formation
Noun and Verb
Simple Sentence, Clause & Phrase
Objective Complement
Intransitive Verb
Noun and Pronoun
Adjective
Adverb
Infinitives
Particles
Gerund
Preposition
Phrase
Clause
Types of Sentences
Finite Verb
Prefixes and Suffixes
Tense
Punctuation
Semi Colon
Apostrophe
Reported Speech
 
 


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