Punctuation marks like the colon (:) and semicolon (;) are essential for clear writing. While both serve different purposes, they're equally important. Tap to read the diffrence between the two.

Shadows stir; the season shifts. As I sit in the first winter sunshine, reading the morning papers, the print rises up, coldly poised, perfected in a way that the writing I am next to read is not. … ...

I've talked about colons more than once in this column, but my focus is usually limited in scope. I zoom in on the little questions, like how many spaces to put after a colon and whether it should ...

Our best punctuation mark is dying out; people need to learn how to use it The poor, misunderstood semicolon is under threat. Helen Coffey laments its decline and makes the case for re-educating ...

Using a semicolon incorrectly can make your writing look unprofessional. Do you know how to use a semicolon correctly? Even if you think you do, are you sure? That odd cross between a colon and a ...

Never use a semicolon to introduce a clause of unequal status or a series; that is the job of the colon. For example: "I made a great discovery: a liquor store that sells Japanese whisky." ...

Here, a colon introduces the list and semicolons indicate which parts of the list are grouped together. Here's another example: ...

When to use a semi-colon A semi-colon is used when you want to link two independent clauses that are closely related in a single sentence. It is indicated by placing a full-stop above a comma.

“Whilst searching for best use cases to illustrate the practicality and beauty of the semicolon, we found many historical texts but fewer contemporary examples,” she adds ... written as a combination ...

Learn how and when to use semicolons in a list with this BBC Bitesize English guide to further improve your English grammar skills.