When to use colons and semicolons

Semicolons and colons both have multiple uses.  I'll go over each use and give a few examples.

 

SEMICOLONS

There are two distinct ways to use semicolons:

•  To connect two sentences that could stand alone but are related to each other.  A simple way to think of this use is: if both a comma and a period seem equally appropriate, you can use a semicolon.

Examples 

"The sun was not shining; it was nighttime."

"Six people entered the haunted house; only two remain."

• To clarify how each part of a sentence with many commas relates to the others.

Examples

"As you know, class next week is cancelled; however, there is a review exercise you will be expected to complete during that time." 

"The people that are coming to the party are Sophie, who will bring the van; Claire, who will bring the peach pie; and Chelsea, who will bring all the gifts."

COLONS

Colons are a lot more useful than semicolons. In addition to the three uses I'll be going over, colons can be used for expressing time (e.g. 12:47 PM), separating a title from a subtitle (e.g. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages), and I don't think I want/have time to talk about this anymore so I am done.

• To connect one sentence with a second sentence that explains or gives details about the first sentence.

Examples

"They were told only one thing: don't go into the woods at night."

"Don't make me think up more example sentences: I'm starting to hate all punctuation and all grammar."

• To indicate that a list follows. 

Examples

"I bought a number of things at the store: a stapler, a new clock, safety pins, and tape."

"Bearded dragons will eat any of the following: veggies, crickets, meal worms, and wax worms."