B. Foundations of Language · Foundations of Language: Listening, Speaking, Words, Fluency and Conventions

Punctuation and Capitals for Clear Meaning: Semicolons, Colons, Dashes, Ellipses and Title Case

B3.3 B3.1About 70 minutes

Learning goals

I can use semicolons to join related independent clauses, with conjunctive adverbs, and in complex lists.
I can use a colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list, an explanation or a quotation.
I can choose between commas, dashes and parentheses to control emphasis.
I can use ellipses to show omissions in quotations without changing the meaning.
I can apply capitalization rules for titles, course names, regions and Indigenous terms.
I can use punctuation as a reader to follow a writer's meaning.

Words to know

semicolon
A mark (;) that joins two closely related independent clauses, or separates list items that already contain commas.

conjunctive adverb
A transition word such as however, therefore, moreover, consequently that connects two independent clauses; use a semicolon before it and a comma after.

colon
A mark (:) that comes after a complete sentence and introduces a list, explanation or quotation.

em dash
A long dash (—) that sets off an interruption or emphasizes what follows.

ellipsis
Three dots (…) showing that words have been left out of a quotation, or that a thought trails off.

title case
Capitalizing the important words in a title: The Hockey Sweater, Anne of Green Gables.

Remember from earlier grades

In Grade 7 you learned semicolons to join independent clauses, conjunctive adverbs with commas, colons before quotations, and ellipses and dashes. In Grade 8 you mastered commas for essential and non-essential information, apostrophes, hyphens, capitals, and punctuation for titles and quotations. In Grade 9 you'll choose among these marks to control meaning and emphasis, and use them accurately in analytical writing, where you quote texts and refer to titles constantly.

Let's start with one sentence, four ways

The rink closes Friday, and the town will build a new one.
The rink closes Friday; the town will build a new one.
The rink closes Friday: the town will build a new one.
The rink closes Friday — the town will build a new one.

All four are correct, but they don't feel the same. The comma + and simply adds. The semicolon presents two balanced, related facts. The colon says here's the explanation or consequence. The dash adds a dramatic pause. Punctuation isn't just rules; it's tone and logic.

Semicolons

Join two closely related independent clauses (each could be a sentence): The storm knocked out the power; we spent the evening playing cards.
Before a conjunctive adverb joining two independent clauses, with a comma after it: The bus was late; however, we still made it to the game. Other conjunctive adverbs: therefore, consequently, moreover, nevertheless, meanwhile, otherwise, instead.
In a complex list where items already contain commas: The tour stops in Sudbury, Ontario; Brandon, Manitoba; and Kamloops, British Columbia.

Don't use a semicolon before a dependent clause: ✘ We stayed inside; because it was cold.

Colons

A colon comes after a complete sentence and delivers what the sentence promised:

a list: Bring three things: skates, a helmet and a thermos.
an explanation: The answer was simple: we needed more volunteers.
a quotation: Juliet asks a famous question: "Wherefore art thou Romeo?"

✘ Don't put a colon after a verb or preposition that's leading straight into its list: The kit includes: skates, a helmet... → ✔ The kit includes skates, a helmet...

A semicolon joins two equal complete sentences. A colon follows a complete sentence and delivers what it promised: a list, an explanation or a quotation.

Commas, dashes or parentheses?

All three can set off extra information. The choice changes the volume:

Parentheses whisper: the information is a side note.
Commas speak at normal volume.
Dashes raise the volume: they emphasize or add drama.

Use dashes sparingly; if every sentence shouts, nothing stands out. In typed work, an em dash is the long dash (—). Some style guides put no spaces around it; others, including many Canadian newspapers, put a space on each side. Choose one style and be consistent.

Ellipses in quotations

Use an ellipsis (…) to show you've left words out of a quotation, to keep it short and focused. You must not change the meaning.

Original (invented): "The new trail, which took three summers to build, connects the school to the river."
With an ellipsis: "The new trail … connects the school to the river." ✔
Misleading: if the original said "The trail is not safe for cyclists," writing "The trail is … safe for cyclists" changes the meaning. ✘ Never do this.

The same extra fact, set off three ways. Parentheses play it down, commas keep it neutral, and dashes spotlight it.

Capitalize	Don't capitalize	Why
English, French (languages) and course titles: Grade 9 Science	math, science, geography as general subjects	Languages are proper nouns; general subjects are not.
the North (a region: Canada's North)	north (a direction: drive north)	Regions are proper nouns; directions are not.
Mom (used as a name: Thanks, Mom!)	my mom	With my, our, your, it's a common noun.
Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, Inuit	—	Canadian style guides, including the Government of Canada's, capitalize these as proper nouns.
Titles: the first word, the last word and all major words: Of Mice and Men, The Outsiders	Short articles, conjunctions and prepositions in the middle of a title: a, an, the, and, but, of, in, to	This is title case; style guides differ slightly on short words, so be consistent.
Winter Carnival (an event's name)	winter, spring, summer, fall (seasons)	Seasons are common nouns.

Capitalization fine points for Grade 9 writing.

Worked example

Let's punctuate for meaning

Punctuate and capitalize this student draft correctly: in our grade 9 english class we read three texts a novel a play by shakespeare and a poem by an inuk poet. the play was difficult however the novel was my favourite. our teacher said read the play aloud and it will make sense

Capitals: In, Grade 9 English (a course title; English is always capitalized), Shakespeare (a name), Inuk (singular of Inuit; capitalized), sentence starts The, Our.
Colon for the list: we read three texts is a complete sentence, so a colon can introduce the list: three texts: a novel, a play by Shakespeare and a poem by an Inuk poet.
Semicolon + conjunctive adverb: The play was difficult; however, the novel was my favourite.
Colon or comma + quotation marks for the quotation: Our teacher said, "Read the play aloud, and it will make sense."

In our Grade 9 English class, we read three texts: a novel, a play by Shakespeare and a poem by an Inuk poet. The play was difficult; however, the novel was my favourite. Our teacher said, "Read the play aloud, and it will make sense."

Read punctuation as signals

When you read, punctuation tells you what's coming. A colon says an explanation or list follows. A semicolon says a closely related idea follows. A dash says pay attention. An ellipsis in a quotation says words were left out, so if it matters, check the original.

Hands-on activity

Punctuation remix

You need: paper, a pen, and a paragraph from a novel or news article.

Copy one paragraph, leaving out every comma, semicolon, colon, dash and parenthesis.
A day later, punctuate it yourself. Use at least one semicolon and one colon if the sentences allow it.
Compare with the original. Where did you choose differently? Is your version also correct? Which version has the effect you prefer?
Make a "Capitals cheat sheet" for your binder with five rules from today's table and an example of each.

Just for fun

A semicolon walks into a bar. The bartender says, "Sorry, we only serve complete sentences." The semicolon replies, "Don't worry; I brought two."

Your turn

Join with a semicolon: The power went out. We read by flashlight.

Punctuate: The road was icy however the bus arrived on time.

Fix the colon: The recipe needs: flour, eggs and milk.

Use a colon to introduce an explanation: There was one problem. Nobody had brought matches.

Rewrite with dashes for emphasis: The winner, a Grade 9 student, broke the school record.

Capitalize correctly: my favourite subjects are english and science, and in the spring we're visiting the north.

Use title case: the curious incident of the dog in the night-time

More practice: warm-up

What must come before a colon?

Name three conjunctive adverbs.

What does an ellipsis in a quotation show?

Which sets off information most quietly: dashes, commas or parentheses?

Is winter capitalized in We love winter?

More practice: on your own

Punctuate this complex list: The finalists came from Thunder Bay Ontario Moncton New Brunswick and Whitehorse Yukon.

Is the semicolon correct? We stayed after school; so that we could finish the mural. Fix it.

Shorten with an ellipsis without changing meaning. Original: "The committee, after months of discussion and two public meetings, approved the new bike lanes."

Explain the difference in tone: (a) Our team (the underdogs) won. (b) Our team — the underdogs — won.

Capitalize correctly: my aunt is métis and teaches grade 10 history at a high school in the west end of the city.

Challenge

Write one sentence correctly using each: a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb, a colon introducing a quotation, and a pair of dashes. (Three sentences.)

A student quotes a review: original "The film is not boring, but it is far too long." Student's version: "The film is … boring." Explain what's wrong.

Explain how a writer's choice of a colon instead of a semicolon changes meaning in: She made one decision; she would apply for the job. vs She made one decision: she would apply for the job.

Check your understanding

Quiz

Which is punctuated correctly?

Which colon is used correctly?

Which mark sets off information with the most emphasis?

Which word should be capitalized in my favourite class is english?

An ellipsis in a quotation must never:

Which list needs semicolons?

Which is correct?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: B3.3 asks students to use and refine their understanding of the meaning and function of capitalization and punctuation to communicate meaning clearly and coherently when reading and writing.

How to help at home: Ask your teen to read a paragraph of their writing aloud. Pauses that feel natural often need punctuation. When they quote a text, check the original together to make sure ellipses haven't changed the meaning.

Common difficulties:

Comma splices with however (It was cold, however we went). Use a semicolon or a period before however.
Colons after verbs (The list includes:).
Capitalizing subjects like Math and Science in the middle of a sentence, and forgetting to capitalize English and French.
Overusing dashes, which weakens their effect.