The use of a colon, comma or semicolon
Can I use a colon, comma or semicolon?
Admit it: You love me
2 answers 
A semicolon would be correct punctuation to join two independent clauses.
Admit it; you love me.
It can also be written as two sentences.
Admit it. You love me.
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edited Dec 31 '12 at 19:57
Lewis Neidhardt
Expert
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No, I can't agree. The colon is definitely the best punctuation to use here.
"Admit it" is a mysterious clause because we don't know what "it" is. The second sentence, "You love me" explains the meaning of the first sentence. When the second clause explains the first one, a colon, not a semicolon or a period, should be used to connect the two. You can capitalize the first word of the second clause, or not, but it's a good idea to be consistent. (in Canada and the UK, it tends NOT to be capitalized: "Admit it: you love me.")
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edited Jan 01 at 22:58
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Hmm, someone down-voted my answer without taking the time to say why.
I am definitely correct in my opinion, and if you do a search on Google for "colon independent clause" the first ten sources all agree with me: a colon is used to link two independent clauses when the 2nd clause summarizes, explains or amplifies the first clause. It's pretty basic, so I'd be surprised if there was any debate on this point but I'd sure like to hear other views.
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