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28.1 Punctuation and Coordination
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Do you sometimes want to emphasize the contrast between two main clauses? Do you occasionally want to get readers themselves to think about the relationship between the ideas and information in the clauses? Consider using a semicolon to create these effects:
People gain weight during the winter holidays; they try to lose it before the summer holidays.
Marla left work early twice this week; she says she has doctor's appointments.
When you use a second clause to illustrate, sum up, or comment on the preceding clause and you want to give this relationship particularly forceful emphasis, you might join the clauses with a colon.
For three weeks we used a new program of radio and television ads to invite customers to our once-a-year sale: they came in droves.
Raj spent the day chopping, peeling, stirring, simmering, and baking: when the evening came, we enjoyed a sumptuous curry dinner.
Both a colon and a semicolon alone create an abrupt stop between clauses, unlike other connectives such as and and moreover. This stop generally encourages readers to single out each clause for attention.
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