Also use the semicolon when you already have commas within a sentence for smaller separations, and you need the semicolon to show bigger separations. Topics youll learn about include periods, semicolons, and colons, and the companion quizzes will measure your knowledge on how to use them. Here are some free resources to help you learn and teach semicolons. Each number contains one or two sentences which may have one or more commas or semicolons missing. The main function of a colon is to introduce what follows it. My parents, who met each other in 1962, have been married for 50 years. Commas, semicolons, and colons the chicago school of. Think carefully about what each type of punctuation is designed to do before choosing the correct answer.
Colons and semicolons displaying top 8 worksheets found for this concept some of the worksheets for this concept are semicolons and colons, name semicolon or comma, great grammar semicolons and colons, semi colons colons and dashes, the colon can be used in the following 7 ways, semicolons colons and dashes, sophomore english colon. Commas, colons, and semicolons powerpoint lesson this animated slideshow will teach students about the. In writing, we use colons and semicolons to make connections and introductions. Semicolons and colons quiz 2 the blue book of grammar. Written by editor and writer frances peck, these pieces take a thorough yet entertaining look at some of the most common errors, weaknesses and uncertainties that plague writers of english.
Think you know when to use a semicolon in your writing. To help separate items in a list, when some of those items already contain commas. Semicolons and colons quiz 2 from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Use a semicolon in the appropriate place to combine the following independent clauses. Semicolons and colons basic grammar and punctuation. Originally, typewriters had monospaced fonts skinny letters and fat letters took up the same amount of space, so two spaces. Worksheets are name semicolon or comma, semicolons, comma or semicolon 2, semicolons and colons, title using commas and semicolons police, great grammar semicolons and colons, comma semicolon and colon rules, commas and colons and semicolons quiz. If youre seeing this message, it means were having trouble loading external resources on our website. What are commas, semicolons, and colons they add pacing and clarity.
Commas, colons, and semicolons commas are used to separate ideas, to set off special elements, and to set off quotations. Also check out the recent post on serial commas and serial semicolons on the mla style center. Quiz answer key sponsored by the center for teaching and learning of uis tf commas clarify meaning and set sentence meter for readers. The semicolon functions more like a period than a comma. Included with this is a page that teaches wrong answer analysis. Punctuation is an essential part of writing in english and can change the whole point of the writing if didnt use at the right place. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
After an introductory sentence, a colon is placed before a list of items. Nov 27, 2019 a punctuation quiz to help you revise semicolons, colons, and commas. In the following fivepart exercise select true or false to indicate whether the sentence uses the appropriate comma or semicolon. In most situations, semicolons and colons are interchangeable. Answer key to colons and semicolons worksheets kiddy math. 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. 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. The focus of the first quiz is on separating dependent and independent clauses using commas and semicolons appropriately. Think carefully about what each type of punctuation is designed to. Identify which punctuation mark should be used in the sentences. Quia commas, semicolons and colons millionaire game. Semicolon worksheets and activities ereading worksheets. This office cannot accept your complaint, we have brought it before the appropriate.
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. Semicolon and colon rules johnson county community. What are commas, semicolons, and colons cliffsnotes. Take this quiz and test your knowledge, even if you get the answers wrong, you can always learn. Each of the following sentences needs either a comma or a semicolon. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. The semicolon looks like a comma with a period above it, and this can be a good way to remember what it does. Test your ability by identifying which sentences are correct.
Use this quizworksheet combo to help you test your understanding of colons, semicolons, and periods. Place semicolons between items in lists if some items the list include commas. Pecks english pointers is a collection of lively articles spanning english grammar, punctuation, usage and clarity. Semicolons and colons quiz 2 the blue book of grammar and. A good academic writer can get along just fine using mostly periods, commas, and quotation marks. Commas and colons and semicolons quiz sponsored by the center for teaching and learning at uis last edited 6302008 page 1 of 2 tf commas clarify meaning and set sentence meter for readers. Originally, typewriters had monospaced fonts skinny letters and fat letters took up the same. Many companies make sugarfree soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving. Colons, semicolons, dashes, and parentheses first floor william t. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar. Use a semicolon in the appropriate place to combine the following.
Select the answer choice that corrects the punctuation errors. Identify whether to use colons or semicolons in sentences. A semicolon creates more separation between thoughts than a comma does but less than a period does. Commas set off parenthetical elements such as an appositive, which is a noun phrase or clause that renames or describes the noun directly beside it, and nonrestrictive relative clauses.
A semicolon is a form of punctuation that sorts out complex lists or links complete clauses. Semicolons, colons, and dashes sonoma state university. Even when the house looks clean, there is usually a bunch of dirt swept under the rug. A semicolon can be used to join two or more complete sentences independent clauses. It is important for students to know that the semicolon does not function in the same way as the comma. Read the sentence and determine which answer if any best fixes it. Colons and semicolons the colon follows an independent clause a complete statement and introduces one of three things. For more information about commas, semicolons, and colons in apa style, see pages 88 to 90 of the publication manual, sixth edition 4.
This 1page quiz assesses student understanding of the following forms of punctuation. Semicolons are almost always used together with conjunctions 10. Take this quiz and test your knowledge, even if you get the answers wrong. The weeds in my yard are very green, unfortunately, the grass is brown and dying. This is a collection of four formative or summative assessments. Many companies make lowfat foods, these foods contain less than five percent of fat per serving. To connect independent clauses and avoid runon sentences b. A colon is used to introduce lists of items, after the greeting of a business letter, and to separate hours and minutes in time expressions. For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. Exercising helps to keep you healthy and fit proper nutrition is also important. Our semicolon worksheets are free to download and easy to access in pdf format. Answer key to colons and semicolons displaying top 8 worksheets found for this concept some of the worksheets for this concept are great grammar semicolons and colons, name semicolon or comma, title using commas and semicolons police, colons and semicolons, semicolons, semicolons and colons, colon, punctuation. The writing center commas, semicolons, and colons guides. Correct the punctuation in the following sentences by rewriting the sentence, adding semicolons and colons where they are needed and by changing other punctuation and capitalization as needed.
Some important dates in us history are july, 4, 1776. Rules for using colons and semicolons colons rules semicolons rules graphic organizer when you watch the video, listen for rules for using colons and semicolons. Students are required to place proper punctuation throughout the statements provided. A punctuation quiz to help you revise semicolons, colons, and commas. Our rule 1 of spacing with punctuation states, with a computer, use only one space following periods, commas, semicolons, colons, exclamation points, question marks, and quotation marks. Identify when to use semicolons and commas in complex sentences.
The manuscript left many unanswered questions are the archives complete. Commas indicate pauses or brief breaks between ideas in sentences. If youre behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains. In each of these sentences a period could be used instead of the semicolon. Determine if the empty spaces need a semicolon, a comma, or. Semicolons are only used in lists that have internal commas.
Carla often participated in school plays, but she always ended up playing minor roles. Learn how to use periods, semicolons, and colons correctly in your sentences via this printable worksheet and interactive quiz. The washington monument, a massive obelisk, was completed in 1884. Activities include completing sentences with the correct mark, adding commas in the correct place within given sentences, writing original sentences and using commas correctly according to the specific prompts, punctuating given sentences correctly, differentiating between colons and semicolons, rewriting given words using apostrophes, and more. None of these punctuation marks should be overused. Introduction to the semicolon semicolons and complex. Displaying all worksheets related to semicolons commas. The space needed after these punctuation marks is proportioned automatically. 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, nor, but, or, yet, so. I have a big test tomorrow comma, semicolon as a result, i cant go out tonight. Semicolons can be used in place of a comma, especially in a list already. Part iv all the commas and semicolons have been omitted from the following sentences. So, its better to keep your concepts clear then screwing up a paragraph or essay. Colons and semicolons displaying top 8 worksheets found for this concept some of the worksheets for this concept are semicolons and colons, name semicolon or comma, great grammar semicolons and colons, semi colons colons and dashes, the colon can be used in the following 7 ways, semicolons colons and dashes, sophomore english colon and semi colon practice name.
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