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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.