Write Witchcraft: The difference between colons and semi-colons
Know which is which and when to use 'em.
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As a writer, I think of grammar a lot. Most of us do. It’s easy to forget all the rules, especially if you’ve been out of school for a while. Sometimes, I pick at my writing too much, fearful that my grammar will be off.
For example, I fret about colons and semicolons. (I spent too much time giggling about the word “colon” in English class back in the day and think I missed the memo.) When do you use the colon? Why do we need a semicolon? Do I need a colonoscopy?
Maybe you freak out about these things, too. That’s one of the reasons why I like to tackle grammar and other skills in the monthly Write Witchcraft feature on the Metaphysical Author’s Confidential. I think I speak for a few: we want to get this stuff right.
Anyhoo, so here’s what you need to know about these guys.
Colons are used for lists, to connect sentences, to emphasize a word or phrase, and examples. They can also be used to introduce a quote or formal question.
Here are a few examples:
I need you to bring the following items to the ritual: a broom, candle, matches, mugwort, and amethyst.
I wanted to read more books about gardening. For example: Houseplant HortOCCULTURE: Green Magic for Indoor Spaces by Devin Hunter has been on my list for a long time.
In Psychic Witch, Mat Auryn has this to say about psychic power and witchcraft: “Both psychic and witch are heavily charged words, so much so that many people who are psychics or witches try to dodge the words altogether.”
Do not use colons to separate a noun from its verb. This is incorrect (psst…this took me forever to get through my thick head).
The four witchy things I need to purchase are: a grimoire, wand, pentacle, and black cat.
That sentence may look right, but it’s not. It should be:
The four witchy things I need to purchase are a grimoire, wand, pentacle, and black cat.
Got it?
Let’s move on to semicolons. You would use semicolons to connect two independent clauses that are related in thought or when there isn’t a conjunction. The semicolon takes the place of the conjunction. Semicolons are also used to separate lists or word series that contain commas. For example:
Some witches belong to a coven; some witches prefer to practice alone.
Not all witches are psychic; not all psychics are witches.
Sabine purchased crystals, herbs, and potions; plus catnip for her four cats.
It’s nit-picky as hell to try to remember all these grammar rules. Trust me, I forget this stuff all the time; sometimes I get it wrong. So, it’s wise to revisit the rules from time to time if you want to strengthen your skills.
xo
Theresa
Psst…I’m not an English teacher. I still biff this grammar stuff. Shrugs.
Great things to read:
Loving this word nerd stuff from
: The Word You Want is Spelled Y-E-A-H.For astrology geeks: the astrological timeline of a life by
. always delivers fab posts for writers. Her latest, Book marketing essentials, is essential!Loved this latest post about Chiron from the always wise
.image from stock photography