the usage of : , ;

[kmokang]

I'm really bother you today

However,

What's the difference between ; and :?

"I hope he liked it; but, at any rate, I certainly love it."

Thanks.



Edited by - kmokang on 2002 Apr 28 03:38:22

[Erin]

<h2>Big difference!</h2>

hehehe... one of the most important things to understand about semi-colons ==> ;

is that we use them between sentences with NO conjunction.

Here's your corrected example:

I hope he liked it; at any rate, I certainly love it.

Colons ==> :

are used before an important point (which could also be a sentence) or a list.

Let's use your sentence again:

I hope he liked it: I will not be happy if he did not.

Or a list:

Only four ingredients are needed to make bread: flour, water, yeast, and salt.

HTH!! (Hope that helps!!)

Erin

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[arti]

One of the best explanation i have read for ; and :

Arti

Arti Gupta

[Erin]

Thanks for the compliment! Glad you found it helpful!

Erin