Colons and Semicolons

One of the least understood but quietly significant distinctions of grammar is between a semicolon and a colon; this short films explains: when we should use each construction, why it matters that we do so correctly and what we can hope to achieve with one or the other in our sentences.

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CREDITS

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[chloezaffran]

This is such an imaginative and original approach to punctuation; I love it!

[JOKBO]

As a programmer, semi colons ARE my life.

[jamesfalconer]

One is for a winky face, one is for a normal face

[Groovebotk]

As an amateur writer I love this so damn much: I strive to be as descriptive as possible in my prose while still flowing smoothly, and it isn't always as easy as I wish it was.

Thank you for giving me words (and punctuation) to internalize!

[asdfqwertA]

This video was beautiful, informative, and therapeutic; a discussion which allows us to think about how aspects of language shape and drive our own lives.

[cup_check_official]

When I was a kid, my English teacher looked my way and said, "Name two pronouns." I said, "Who, me?"

[ClassiKell]

This is gorgeous; punctuation is such a turn-on. I think the experience of hearing or reading poignant or profound punctuation is like a beautiful dance: not anticipated but swept away by the rhythm and feeling.

Thanks for all you create and share

[hd]

I would really like to say this helped but it confused me even more.

[kaustavmajumdar]

Combining the two most enjoyable subjects I have ever come across, this channel keeps schooling. Thanks for great vid and that drilling animation bit really sums up the quality of this channel: DEEP.

[timelessthee]

Finally, grammar and emotional intelligence collide.

[daddyleon]

This is me: for years I had these thoughts too! Although never so eloquently expressed; people always seemed a bit caught off guard, even annoyed by my use of colons and semi-colons - as well as my use of other types of punctuation. It was such a struggle for me, that -after a while- I found it very difficult to have any sense of how to use them anymore; it felt as if I had unlearned a part of language; unlearned, repressed, a part of myself: a part of my personality; playful use of language and punctuation, but still intentful, while content with the grey messiness of translating speech and thought to writing.

[gigglysamentz]

Thanks a lot for explaining this ! I often have trouble with semi-colons; I basically used them when I wasn't sure whether to use a comma or a period.
It kind of works. And is enhanced by the fact it's called a "period-comma" in French XD

[ReD_]

English as a language always makes me want to learn more ways to express myself! These videos are top quality and makes me happy I'm subscribed to you guys!

[Maracujakeks]

The semicolon is slowly disappearing; it had me rather melancholic.

[SidRo]

All of my teachers growing up absolutely hated semicolons, because they found it hard to tell if someone had used it correctly. It’s easier to tell if someone understands the use of a colon because if what they right isn’t a fact after the colon then they are clearly misunderstanding it.
Semicolons, like you said, link ideas together that can be related but aren’t a definitive.
Because if this, I haven’t been allowed to use semicolons in my school work, and now find it hard to write with them.

[anamariakitty]

I was really angry today and this video showed up. In 2 minutes everything was calm and beautiful again. How is this even possible? Again, thank you so much for being here in my times of despair :)

[ThatGhostly_Reaper]

This deserves more likes; for some reason, I imagined his voice as James Bond reciting the script.

[Julika]

I've never thought of comparing colon and semicolon. In German these two punctuations aren't named near. It's clear that a semicolon is between a full stop and a comma.

[BRNxyz]

I so much needed this; Thank you.
This is the best channel in YT: quality content.

However, semicolons look beautiful over colons.

[Pancakiii]

That was so eloquently explained. I, personally, love semicolons as well.