How the Proper Use of Colons and Semicolons Will Make Your Written Intention More Easily Understood

In a slight departure from their regular subject of human behavior, the School of Life explained via animation about the difference between colons and semicolons, specifically how to properly employ them within sentences. They also demonstrated how a person’s intention in written form can be widely misinterpreted when grammatical tools such as these are not employed correctly.

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.

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.