[d.] The semicolon is not used before quotations, or after the "Dear Sir" in letters. Use a comma or a colon. (See [91h], [93a], and [87b].)
- Wrong: Mother said; "Let me get my needle."
- Right: Mother said, "Let me get my needle."
Exercise:
- The eggs tasted musty, they were cold storage eggs.
- You should have seen that old, formally kept house, you should have sat in that stuffy and immaculate parlor.
- I objected to the plan however since he insisted upon it I yielded.
- I suppose I must go if I don't he will be anxious.
- Although the note is due on March 19, you have three days of grace, consequently you may pay it on March 22.
[The Colon]
[93a.] The colon is used to introduce formally a word, a list, a statement or question, a series of statements or questions, or a long quotation.
- Right: Only one man stood between Burr and the presidency: Jefferson.
- Right: My favorite novels are the following: Ivanhoe, Henry Esmond, and The Mill on the Floss.
- Right: The difficulty is this: Where is the money to come from?
- Right: The measure must be considered from several standpoints: Is it timely? Is it expedient? Is it just? Is it superior to the other measures proposed?
- Right: I shall do three things next year: study hard, take care of my health, and enter into various student activities.
- Right: Webster concluded with the following peroration: "When my eyes shall be turned for the last time to behold the sun in heaven," etc., etc.
[b.] The colon may be used before concrete illustrations of a general statement.
- Right: The colors were various: blue, purple, emerald, and orange.
- Right: The day was propitious: the sun shone, the birds sang, the flowers sent forth their fragrance.
Exercise: