42. General Usage.—In general, use a colon after any word, phrase, or clause when that which follows explains or makes clear what precedes.
4. The Semicolon
43. Compound Sentences.—A semicolon is used in compound sentences to separate independent clauses that have no connective between. The semicolon in such constructions, however, is fast disappearing from newspaper columns. Complex constructions are avoided. Usage favors making a separate sentence of the second clause.
Right.—Brown came first; Johnson followed five seconds later, with Jones third.
Permissible.—The murder was committed sometime before 12:00 o'clock; at 8:00 this morning the murderer was in jail.
Better.—The murder was committed sometime before 12:00 o'clock. At 8:00 this morning the murderer was in jail.
44. Lists.—In lists of dead, injured, guests, etc., where the name of the town from which the persons come or the place of residence is given, separate the different names by semicolons.
Right.—Among those present were: Allen Rogers of Las Vegas, N. M.; Orren Thomas of Benton, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Barnes of Sioux City, Ia.
45. Athletic Results.—In football, baseball, and similar athletic results, use a semicolon to separate the names of the teams and their scores: as, Cornell, 21; Syracuse, 14.
46. Instead of Commas.—A semicolon may be used instead of a comma when a clause or sentence is so broken up by commas as to need some other mark of punctuation to keep the larger phrase- and clause-relations clear.