Colon and Semicolon

A colon provides an explanation to the information you have just mentioned. A semicolon indicates a brief pause that is slightly longer than a pause meant by a comma.

Use colons in the following cases:

To introduce an item or a list of items.

Do not use a colon before a list started by a verb or preposition that would ordinarily need no punctuation. To determine whether a colon is needed, try to put a period at the beginning of the list — if the result makes sense, add the colon.

To separate 2 independent clauses in case the second clause is directly related to (that is, explains, illustrates, paraphrases or expands) the first clause.

To learn more about dependent and independent clauses, see this Grammarly article.

Colon and Semicolon Tip

Here you can also use a semicolon or a period. However, never use a comma. For more information, see Comma.

Use semicolons in the following cases:

Separate 2 independent clauses without using a coordinating conjunction (and, or, but).

To learn more about conjunctions, see this Grammarly article.

Separate 2 independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb (nevertheless, in addition, by the way, on the other hand, however, moreover, furthermore, for example, all in all, finally).

Examples

The backup server performs main management operations: [as follows] coordinates backup and replication jobs, controls job scheduling and resource allocation.
You can back up individual VMs or VM containers: [which are] folders, resource pools, clusters, vApps, datastores and so on.
Veeam Backup & Replication allows you to back up: folders, resource pools, clusters and so on. [no colon required]
The backup server is a Windows-based machine on which Veeam Backup & Replication is installed: [explanation] it fills the role of the configuration and management center of your backup infrastructure.

The backup server is a Windows-based machine on which Veeam Backup & Replication is installed; it fills the role of the configuration and management center of your backup infrastructure. [independent clauses]

The backup server is a Windows-based machine on which Veeam Backup & Replication is installed. It fills the role of the configuration and management center of your backup infrastructure. [independent clauses]

Backups created by Veeam Availability for Nutanix AHV are viewable in the Veeam Backup & Replication console; however, some of the Veeam Backup & Replication functionality is not available for these backups. [conjunctive adverb]