Search results
Look out vs. lookout (vs. look-out) Lookout is a noun. It mainly refers to (1) one who keeps watch, (2) the act of keeping watch, and (3) a high place used to observe a wide area. To be on the lookout is to be on guard or to watch for something. The word occasionally functions as an adjective as well, as in phrases such as lookout tower.
Jun 27, 2023 · A colon (:) is used to introduce information set up by the previous clause. It’s typically used before a list, example, or explanation. A semicolon (;) is used to join related independent clauses together in the same sentence without a conjunction. Now let’s discuss the details on when and how to use each and where the dash ( — ) fits in.
- What This Handout Is About
- Semicolons
- Colons
- Dashes
This handout explains the most common uses of three kinds of punctuation: semicolons (;), colons (:), and dashes (—). After reading the handout, you will be better able to decide when to use these forms of punctuation in your own writing.
The semicolon looks like a comma with a period above it, and this can be a good way to remember what it does. A semicolon creates more separation between thoughts than a comma does but less than a period does. Here are the two most common uses of the semicolon:
Colons follow independent clauses (clauses that could stand alone as sentences) and can be used to present an explanation, draw attention to something, or join ideas together.
The first thing to know when talking about dashes is that they are almost never required by the laws of grammar and punctuation. Overusing dashes can break up the flow of your writing, making it choppy or even difficult to follow, so don’t overdo it. It’s also important to distinguish between dashes and hyphens. Hyphens are shorter lines (-); they ...
Colons (:) introduce clauses or phrases that serve to describe, amplify, or restate what precedes them. Often they are used to introduce a quote or a list that satisfies the previous statement. For example, this summary could be written as "Colons can introduce many things: descriptors, quotes, lists, and more."
Sep 20, 2017 · Introducing a Series or List. Use a colon with the phrases as follows and the following. To make a cake you need the following ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, leavener, and salt. Combine the ingredients as follows: first, cream the butter with the sugar; second, add the eggs and milk; third, add the flour, leavener, and salt.
Oct 28, 2024 · Unlike hyphenated terms that may evolve over time, spacing between “semi” and “colon” is not recognized in any standard English usage. The correct form is “semicolon,” written as one word, without a space or hyphen. Using “semi colon” or “semi-colon” may confuse readers and is not accepted in formal or professional writing.
People also ask
What is the difference between a hyphen and a “semi colon”?
What is a hyphenated lookout?
Is Lookout a noun or adjective?
What is the difference between a colon and a semicolon?
What does a semicolon look like?
What does it mean to be on the lookout?
In the last example, substituting a comma, a dash or indeed a colon would make the sentence correct. Here is an easy reminder: use a semicolon only where you could also use a period. There’s only one main exception to this rule of thumb: when punctuating a list in which an item already contains a comma, use semicolons instead of commas to separate the items.
