Extend a Sentence

 Links

Grammar Lessons Home
Grammar Tests Home
Grammar Chat Forum
About This Site
FAQs
Contact Us
Grammar Entertainment

 

Download

Download off-line version

for your own desktop reference tool.
 
[more details...]
 


A dash, a semicolon or a colon can be used to extend a sentence.  The rules governing which to use are below.


A sentence can be extended with a colon when the writer wishes to expand on something already mentioned in the sentence.
1.   A colon can be used to introduce some more information about something previously mentioned in the sentence.

Examples:
There were two pets in the house: a budgie and a cat.
       (two pets: a budgie and a cat)
  He blamed his divorce on one thing: beer.
       (one thing: beer)
 

 JUST LIKE AN EQUALS SIGN 

Many people like to think of a colon as an equals sign.
two pets = a budgie and a cat
one thing = beer

 IN APPOSITION 

The words after the colon are known as an "appositive phrase". (It just means an "equal phrase".)
You can also use the term "in apposition to"; for example:
There was only one fish in the vicinity: a great white shark.
       (In this sentence, "great white shark" is in apposition to "fish".)
This company has always had the same motto: Try it twice
       and then sack it.
       (In this example, "Try it twice and then sack it." is in apposition
       to "motto".  Note: If the words in apposition are a sentence in
       their own right, the sentence should be written with a capital
       letter.)


 DIFFERENT TO SEMICOLONS 

A colon should only be used to extend a sentence when you are introducing words which expand on something previously mentioned.  When a slight break is preferable to a new sentence, you should use a semicolon.
The pilot's chances of landing safely were minimal: the elevators
       were packed with ice. Is this example right or wrong?  (Mini Test)    

Top   


A sentence can be extended with a semicolon when a slight break is preferable to a new sentence.

1.   Use a semicolon when a slight break is preferable to a new sentence.

Example:
 No one was hurt in the accident; the only real injury was a broken finger.
She did not approve of my design at all; she found it crass.

2.   Quite often, there is a short phrase immediately after the semicolon which acts like a bridge between both halves of the sentence.  (This is covered more in the lesson "Semicolons".)

Examples:
 Everybody knows he is guilty; however, it will never be proven.
Her own guest was declined; as a result, she left.
Business is booming; for example, Siemens have rung twice since 4 o'clock.
This business will collapse if you do not invest in the staff's well-being; of
       course, that is just my opinion. Is this example right or wrong?  (Mini Test)

 

  OVERKILL 

Using a semicolon to extend a sentence is a very handy.  However, if you find yourself using them regularly, you should probably adjust the style of your writing.

Top   


Three dots can be used as a pause for effect.

1.     When the writer wants the reader to pause for effect, he can use three dots.

Examples:
As I moved the bushes, I was not confronted by the deer I had been tracking 
       for two days but...a Bengal tiger.
  [picture]
 

 ANOTHER USE FOR 3 DOTS (CALLED ELLIPSIS) 

Three dots can also be used to show that words have been omitted. This is covered more in the lesson "Quotation Marks".
The magazine claims: "The scene in the '70s was...controlled by
       The Ramones."

Top   


Confused about colons, semicolons and three dots? Use a dash.

 
1.     The dash performs all the functions of the colon, the semicolon and three dots mentioned in Sections 1, 2 and 3 above.

Examples:
 He blamed his divorce on one thing - beer.
        (replaces a colon)
The sales team meet on Tuesdays - unlike the floor managers who meet on
       Wednesdays.   (replaces a semicolon)
The team requires another person - namely, Adam Richards.
       (replaces a semicolon)
No one was hurt - the only injury was a broken finger. Is this example right or wrong?  (Mini Test)    
As I moved the bushes, I was not confronted by the deer I had been tracking for
       two days, but - a Bengal tiger. (replaces three dots)
  [picture]
 A credit card stolen from a woman in Devon was used to pay for a Chinese 
       meal 18 hours later - in Hong Kong. Is this example right or wrong?  (Mini Test)    
 

 THAT LOOKS NICER 

Although a dash covers the functions of a colon, a semicolon and 3 dots, it is worthwhile learning how all are used so you can choose the one which looks best in your sentence.  In the example below, there are already several hyphens and dashes, so using the 3 dots is preferable to another dash. 
Mrs Thomas - the 64-year-old lady from Kent who swore she
       would never have a facelift - removed the bandages to
       find...a 40-year-old version of herself.

 TWO HYPHENS FOR A DASH 

When written by hand, a dash is slightly longer than a hyphen. However, most keyboards do not differentiate between the two.  Therefore, many writers use two hyphens for a dash when using a PC.
 Mrs Thomas -- the 64-year-old lady from Kent who swore she
       would never have a facelift -- removed the bandages to find...a
       40-year-old version of herself.

Top