A worksheet for teachingrevising colons and semicolons, including definitions, sentence examples and a paragraphing exercise. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Semicolon, colon, and comma practice flashcards quizlet. I like going fishing i dont like putting worms on hooks. Commas and semicolons in the space provided, write c if the sentence is correctly punctuated, and correct other sentences with a comma or a semicolon. An alternative to using the semicolon is to combine the sentences with a joining word. Going to the circus is fun however the clowns can be scary.
The semicolon, colon, and dash are among the punctuation marks most neglected. These sentences help your child explore the use of colons, semicolons, and dashes. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and. Khan academy is a nonprofit with the mission of providing a free, worldclass education for anyone, anywhere. Students will add the appropriate punctuation mark semicolon, colon, or comma to 11 blanks in a short paragraph. A semicolon creates more separation between thoughts than a comma does but less than a period does. Circle the punctuation mark that you would use for each rule. Semicolon, colon, and comma quiz by english 10 mother hen tpt. Use a semicolon in the appropriate place to combine the following. The main function of a colon is to introduce what follows it. When this happens, it is normal to use a comma before the conjunction. Now, when the sentences themselves contain commas, it is possible to outrank those commas by using a semicolon before the conjunction instead of. When not to use a semicolon use commas, not semicolons, after an independent clause it could stand alone as a full sentence joined with another independent clause by a coordinating conjunction for, and. Learn semicolon colons with free interactive flashcards.
Given below are some of the most common and important uses of a colon. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. Words like however, moreover, thus, and therefore, are often used as connectors in these sentences. Uses of the semicolon problems with semicolons quiz. Correctly place a semicolon or colon in the following sentences. Use a colonnot a semicolonwhen what follows the punctuation restates what comes before. Eating healthy helps you lose weight staying fit keeps you healthy. In the following fivepart exercise select true or false to indicate whether the sentence uses the appropriate comma or semicolon. Semicolon worksheets and activities ereading worksheets. Determine whether to use a comma, a semicolon, or no punctuation at all. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar. Carla often participated in school plays, but she always ended up playing minor roles. Commas, colons, and semicolons powerpoint lesson this animated slideshow will teach students about the.
Start studying semicolon, colon, and comma practice. Use this quiz worksheet combo to help you test your understanding of colons, semicolons, and periods. Use a semicolon in the appropriate place to combine the following independent clauses. Our mission is to provide a free, worldclass education to anyone, anywhere. In each sentence, a popup box is placed where punctuation might be needed. Semicolon, colon, and comma quiz by english 10 mother hen. Multiple choice select the choice with the correct use of semicolons. It includes practice questions, instructional content, and a quiz to test your knowledge. Semicolons and colons provides students with the correct. Browse 500 sets of semicolon colon english flashcards. What is the author of touched, jane straus, wrote in the first chapter. For example, we were able to find these two sentences in the chicago manual of style. Think you know when to use a semicolon in your writing. In writing, we use colons and semicolons to make connections and introductions.
Colon, an important punctuation mark, consists of two equalsized dots vertically placed to each other. A semicolon can replace the period between two related clauses or sentences. The main rule for these punctuation marks is to use them sparingly. By replacing this period with a semicolon, the sentence will be rewritten as visit me tomorrow. However, if you think a semicolon makes your sentence clearer, you can use one. The semicolon looks like a comma with a period above it, and this can be a good way to remember what it does. Colons and semicolons worksheet teaching resources. Description how does a writer use a semicolon, colon, or dash. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Here are some free resources to help you learn and teach semicolons. To save a pdf copy of the report, click below and follow instructions for your browser. Understanding the functions of the semicolon and colon will help you use them effectively. Up close and personal central missouri trees is a special community presentation planned for wednesday at. The second clause is not independent and so a semicolon cannot be used here. Semicolons and colons quiz 2 the blue book of grammar. Colons and semicolons are two valuable pieces of punctuation that separate sentence elements from each other.
A semicolon is used to join two sentences when they are very closely related and a conjunction becomes too wordy. Colons, semicolons, and dashes punctuation can be used to connect groups of words. Other uses 149 semicolonscolons exercise 1 directions. This pdf document from the writing center at lewis and clark college. For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. Punctuating with semicolons and colons the semicolon and colon look similar. Remember not to capitalize any words other than proper noun. Note that both the colon and semicolon are followed by a single space. Even when the house looks clean, there is usually a bunch of dirt swept under the rug. The use of these punctuation marks often confuses students. Information youll be assessed on includes determining the proper uses of colons and.
Semicolons and colons quiz 2 the blue book of grammar and. A semicolon belongs in each of the following sentences. Using a colon adds a bit of emphasis to the second clause. One common use of the colon is to introduce a list. Then, students will determine whether five sentences have correct or incorrect punctuation. If you accidentally click on the wrong button, simply click on the button you meant to select. Use commas to separate items in a list if none of the items in the list require commas too. Choose from 500 different sets of semicolon colon english flashcards on quizlet.
Working in small groups, develop a quiz on the information in the video to be. Grammar and mechanics using the colon and semicolon. The colon can be used to give details of a word or phrase before it. Test your ability by identifying which sentences are correct. As a result you can sometimes test the use of the colon by replacing it with the subordinating conjunction because. A colon is made up of two dots, one placed above the other. Identify which punctuation mark should be used in the sentences.
Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more. Commas and colons and semicolons quiz sponsored by the center for teaching and learning at uis last edited 6302008 page 2 of 2 we finished our theme park tour at 115 pm. Simply put, the colon is used to provide a pause before introducing related information, while the semicolon is just a break in a sentence that is stronger than a comma but not as final as a full stop. Well, the semicolon is the squiggle with the dot above it most of us could probably recognize a colon and a semicolon, but do we know how to use them correctly. Check the spelling of all names in the heartland directory. Exercising helps to keep you healthy and fit proper nutrition is also important. Remember, a semicolon connects complete ideas or items in a list that have internal commas. Often they will use both marks interchangeably or inappropriately use another punctuation mark, like a period or comma. This practice is acceptable, but it is considered outdated these days. Correct semicolon and colon errors in the following exercises.
A semicolon is a bridge that joins two independent clauses with the same basic idea or joins phrases in a series. The city of paris, ontario, is undergoing a major revival discovery communications is moving into town. Georgia went back to her bed and stared at the intricate patterns of burned moth wings in the translucent glass of the overhead light. A wink to the semicolon celebrating the semicolon in a most unlikely location1 by sam roberts february 18, 2008 the new york times it was nearly hidden on a new york city transit public service placard exhorting subway riders not to leave their newspaper behind when they get off the train. Then select the word that comes just before the semicolon. To join independent clauses in compound sentences that do not have coordinating conjunctions and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet and commas as connectors. Semicolons and colons basic grammar and punctuation. The quick answer when a conjunction words like and, but and or is used to merge two independent clauses into one sentence, it is possible to use a semicolon before the conjunction to outrank any commas in the clause. Quiz answer key sponsored by the center for teaching and learning of uis tf commas clarify meaning and set sentence meter for readers. Unlike the semicolon, the information that follows a colon does not have to be in the form of an independent clause. If no semicolon or colon needs to be added, write c for correct in the left margin. If someone ask you to explain colon vs semicolon, what would you say. Colons and semicolons the colon follows an independent clause a complete statement and introduces one of three things. It is more pronounced and has a pause slightly longer than a comma.
Online writing lab semicolons, exercise 1 dyouville. The semicolon functions more like a period than a comma. Read each sentence below, and write another sentence using the same punctuation marks. The semicolon is pointless, and its ruining your writing how to use semicolons and colons a semicolon is used to join two sentences when they are very closely related and a conjunction becomes too wordy. Today, lets look at the difference and the usage of colon vs. Interrupting information nonessential phrases may come at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. Learn semicolon colon english with free interactive flashcards.
In this grammar worksheet, your child learns how to write sentences using a colon, semicolon, or dash. Single space after a period is now the accepted practice. Children often find these sophisticated punctuation marks very difficult to use, so you may need to offer help. Colons colons, like semicolons, combine two independent clauses which are closely related, but in the case of the colon the second clause explains the first. To explain the proper use of a semicolon to combine independent clauses and in. Using semicolons before conjunctions and, or, but, etc. Here are the two most common uses of the semicolon. Our semicolon worksheets are free to download and easy to access in pdf format. Now proceed to the next sentence and continue in the same manner until you have finished all 10. Do this by clicking on the red button next to your choice. Colons act as signposts to alert readers to important information. Bert was proud of his new title vice president of sales. Semicolons join independent clauses and items in a series. Select the pair of words between which the colon should be placed.
You may have to remove other punctuation marks if they interfere with semicolon or colon placement. I believe there are 3 things to achieving good grades. Examples on a beautiful spring day, they had a picnic. Here, the conjunction and has been used to merge the two sentences into one. A semicolon is a form of punctuation that sorts out complex lists or links complete clauses. You can use a semicolon to separate these two independent clauses.
In addition, the colon has conventional uses to separate certain elements. It is important for students to know that the semicolon does not function in the same way as the comma. Sentence combining using the colon and the semicolon variety in sentence construction adds sophistication to your writing. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The tucker family will serve as grand marshals for the. After reading the handout, you will be better able to decide when to use these forms of punctuation in your own writing.
Cliffsnotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what youre studying, cliffsnotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. Quia commas, semicolons and colons millionaire game. Many writers are confused about when to use a semicolon and when to use a colon. Use a comma between two long independent clauses when conjunctions such as and.
This handout explains the most common uses of three kinds of punctuation. This refresher module explains how to use semicolons and colons. To connect independent clauses and avoid runon sentences b. To help separate items in a list, when some of those items already contain commas. Choose from 500 different sets of semicolon colons flashcards on quizlet.
1327 566 1110 511 1111 770 293 139 420 927 345 37 1034 544 1103 137 761 665 1194 324 1230 538 46 988 1321 488 173 58 196 246 692 633 1053 614 154 199 1030 203