You have learned when it's appropriate to use colons and when you should use semicolons. Now write two original sentences that correctly use semicolons and two original sentences that correctly use colons.

Love is a dead emotion in today's society; people don't take the time to get to know someone before letting go.

I need to go to the grocery store, things to get from the store: bread, eggs, milk, coffee, and a roast.

A semicolon is used to link two main clauses in a sentence when a connector, such as and or but, is not used. Semicolons can also be used before transitional words such as therefore and whereas. This punctuation mark indicates that the main clauses in the sentence are connected. Here are some examples of sentences that correctly use semicolons:

I forgot my umbrella; therefore, I was hoping you could lend me yours.

(In this sentence, the semicolon is used before the transitional word therefore to join two main clauses that are connected.)

Shane always likes to get popcorn at the movies; his sister prefers getting candy.

(In this sentence, two main clauses that make sense together are joined with a semicolon instead of a connector such as but.)

A colon is used before a list of items or after a salutation in a business letter or formal communication. Here are some examples of sentences that correctly use colons:

Dear Mr. Smith:

(In this example, a colon is used after the salutation of a formal letter.)

I always pack these items when I go on a vacation:

cellphone and charger

sunscreen

comfortable shoes

first aid kit

(In this sentence, a colon is used before a list of items.)