; or : and why?

[bertietheblue]

The sentence is taken from a response I made to a posting:

"The 'matter' is whatever is at issue[:][;] for example, the matter could be a dispute between two parties."

I used to write ';' where 'for example' links clauses, but I've recently been converted to ':'. Maybe I should just cop out and use the dash? And isn't a full-stop possible here?

And what about straightforward lists:

"I've been to many countries: for example, Russia, India ...."?

Is a colon (or more informally, the dash) the only possibility here (assuming the sentence ends at the end of the list)?

[chester_100]

The sentence is taken from a response I made to a posting:

"The 'matter' is whatever is at issue[:][;] for example, the matter could be a dispute between two parties."

I used to write ';' where 'for example' links clauses, but I've recently been converted to ':'. Maybe I should just cop out and use the dash? And isn't a full-stop possible here?
Of course it is.
-The 'matter' is whatever is at issue. For example, the matter could be a dispute between two parties.
-The 'matter' is whatever is at issue; for example, the matter could be a dispute between two parties.
-The 'matter' is whatever is at issue: for example, the matter could be a dispute between two parties.


And what about straightforward lists:

"I've been to many countries: for example, Russia, India ...."?

I believe the colon here means something like 'for example'. We don't normally expect to see a detailed list after a colon. By simply putting '...' or 'etc' at the end of the sentence, you will imply that you're just giving some examples:
-I've been to many countries: Russia, India, France, Brazil ... .

However, it's not wrong to use colons that way, and if your examples are long (e.g. sentences), you can follow this pattern:
-Some animals communicate by means of cries: for example, many birds cry when they feel danger; apes utter different ... .


Is a colon (or more informally, the dash) the only possibility here (assuming the sentence ends at the end of the list)?

Good luck

[philadelphia]

*Not a teacher

-The 'matter' is whatever is at issue[:][;] for example, the matter could be a dispute between two parties.
I would write 'The matter is whatever is at issue. For example, the matter could be a dispute between two parties'.

-I've been to many countries: Russia, India
I would definitely say 'I've been to many countries: Russia, India, etc.'

I would add this is a way of writing. Some would rephrase it while others would write it in the same way or so. I stumbled upon several styles of writing: orginal ones, structured ones, uncorrect ones, etc. To me, the purpose is to be understood, perfectly.

[bertietheblue]

Thanks for that. And sorry, my 2nd sentence ('I've been to many countries ...') wasn't a very good example of what I was trying to illustrate, but going back to the first sentence: if both semi-colon and colon are possible, is there any difference in function? Does the colon announce, and the semi-colon balance, what follows?

[philadelphia]

This link explains it clearly: 410 Grammar: Using Colons and Semi-Colons

[philadelphia]

Some would rephrase it while others would write it in the same way or so.

Here it is! I could have written it differently: 'Some would rephrase it; others would write it in the same way or so'.

That being said, I read J-P Sartre's books and they blew me away regarding the way he wrote. When you read his book, you cannot help yourself reading as there is a kind of high pace. In other words, if you stop reading, you get lost. He keeps using appropriate punctuations to give a great pace to the words and the phrases as well! Read The words

[bertietheblue]

This link explains it clearly: 410 Grammar: Using Colons and Semi-Colons

I'm clear on most uses of the colon and semi-colon[. - I know, for instance, that this could be a semi-colon but choose the full-stop partly because I use a semi-colon in the next clause] I'm less clear on cases where either is possible[; - like here?] for example, where sentences seem to be in balance and yet a colon can be used. For instance:

'Man proposes: God disposes.'

I'd use a semi-colon there and I can't see how a colon can be used.

[chester_100]

'Man proposes: God disposes.'

I'd use a semi-colon there and I can't see how a colon can be used.


Sure!
As you see, it really depends on the its meaning. I found out that sometimes punctuations function like meaningful words. In the above sentence, a semicolon would replace 'on the other hand' or any other connectors showing contrast.

-The introvert likes books; the extrovert is fond of people.


.

C

[bertietheblue]

Thanks. That's exactly why I'd use the semi-colon in the example - meaning 'on the other hand'. It's the colon I've got a problem with!

[philadelphia]

'Man proposes: God disposes.'

I would never use a colon nor a semi-colon in that case. It would rather go: 'Man proposes, God disposes'. When the phrases are short, I mainly use a comma; when the phrases are not short, I mainly use a semi-colon.

I'm less clear on cases where either is possible[; - like here?] for example, where sentences seem to be in balance and yet a colon can be used

Before 'for example' I would never write a semi-colon. Eg I like three colours; for example, green, red, blue. I prefer as follows: I like three colours: green, red, blue.