SAT Grammar 3: Colons, Semicolons, and DashesSAT Grammar 3: Colons, Semicolons, and Dashes

S A T R E A D I N G A N D W R I T I N G · GRAMMAR

Colons, Semicolons, and Dashes

SAT Grammar Guide 3

Goal: Know what must come before and after a colon, semicolon, or dash.

Original study notes on standard SAT grammar and punctuation rules, with original examples. Not copied from any prep book.

Big Picture

These marks are tested by the structure on each side. Memorize what each side must be and most questions become mechanical.

At a Glance

Mark Before it After it Example

Semicolon (;) Independent clause Independent clause The vote was close; the count took hours. Colon (:) Independent clause Anything: a list, an explanation, a quotation She had one goal: finish the race. Single dash (-) Independent clause Explanation or addition He had one fear — snakes. Pair of dashes Anything Extra information, then a closing dash The report — which took weeks — was late. Semicolon Rules

Both sides must be able to stand alone. A semicolon before a fragment is wrong.

Also separates items in a list when the items already contain commas: "Austin, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Boise, Idaho."

A semicolon replaces a period, or a comma + FANBOYS. Do not combine a semicolon with a FANBOYS conjunction.

Conjunctive adverbs: "; however," and "; therefore," are correct.

Colon Rules

The words before a colon must form a complete sentence. "The recipe needs: flour, eggs" is wrong. Do not place a colon after such as, including, like, is, are, was, of, or other words that need what follows to be complete.

A colon points forward: a list, an explanation, or an example of what the first clause said. Dash Rules

A pair of dashes works like a pair of commas around extra information. Do not mix one dash with one comma. A single dash must follow a complete sentence, like a colon.

Do not use a dash and a colon together, and do not put a comma right next to a dash at the same boundary. Quick Checks

Semicolon: is there a full sentence on each side?

Colon: is the part before it a full sentence?

Dashes: are there two, or is the one dash after a full sentence?

Key Terms

Term / Actor What it is and why it matters

Semicolon Joins two independent clauses or separates complicated list items.

Colon Introduces explanation, list, or quote after an independent clause.

Dash Sets off extra information (as a pair) or adds an explanation (single, after an IC). Conjunctive adverb however, therefore, moreover, consequently, thus; use a semicolon before them when joining

ICs.

Making This Essay-Ready

Pattern to memorize: IC ; IC. IC : anything. IC — anything. Pair of marks around extra information. SAT Grammar Guide 3 · Original SAT grammar study notes