Re: Brit/US colon-vs-semicolon

Subject: Re: Brit/US colon-vs-semicolon
From: Iain Harrison <iharrison -at- SCT -dot- CO -dot- UK>
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 1996 11:16:39 GMT

John Trollope asks:
>>
In standard American English (whatever that is, but that's
another debate), colons are used to set off lists.

This tutorial will cover these points: a. blah blah etc.

However, many of my colleagues in Yorkshire, England seem to use
a semi-colon for this purpose.

This tutorial will cover these points; a. blah blah

Is this "correct"? Or should they be using a colon (as I think
they should).
<<

As a tech author who lives in Yorkshire, England (though I have to
cross the Pennines to go to work), I am of the opinion that they
have got it wrong. They should have used a colon.

I don't think it is an international issue, just an error.

Iain
iharrison -at- sct -dot- co -dot- uk


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