Colons, Semi-Colons and Dashes

A colon usually introduces a quotation a list or an explanation or expansion of the previous statement.

A semi-colon is generally a "finishing" pause, marking the end of a sentence but less firmly than a full stop does. It often comes between two statements which are closely connected, or which balance or contrast one another. it may also be used to seperate a list of phrases.

A single dash can be used to add on an extra piece of information very much as a colon does. it can also be used to indicate a breaking off in a sentence. A series of dashes might be used informally to convey an outpouring of ideas or emotions.

Two dashes can mark off an extra, non-essential piece of information in the middle of a sentence - a technique known as parenthesis.