For more information about commas, semicolons, and colons in apa style, see pages 88 to 90 of the publication manual, sixth edition 4. Semicolons can be used in place of a comma, especially in a list already. 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 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. In the following fivepart exercise select true or false to indicate whether the sentence uses the appropriate comma or semicolon. Select the answer choice that corrects the punctuation errors. 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. The semicolon provides a more emphatic separation than the comma. Take this quiz and test your knowledge, even if you get the answers wrong. If youre seeing this message, it means were having trouble loading external resources on our website. My parents, who met each other in 1962, have been married for 50 years. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. 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.
None of these punctuation marks should be overused. Many writers either neglect to use or overuse commas, which complicates their sentences, or can sometimes obscure the meaning. Think you know when to use a semicolon in your writing. Some important dates in us history are july, 4, 1776.
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. Learn how to use periods, semicolons, and colons correctly in your sentences via this printable worksheet and interactive quiz. After an introductory sentence, a colon is placed before a list of items. Many companies make lowfat foods, these foods contain less than five percent of fat per serving. Topics youll learn about include periods, semicolons, and colons, and the companion quizzes will measure your knowledge on how to use them. Read the sentence and determine which answer if any best fixes it.
Many companies make sugarfree soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving. Commas indicate pauses or brief breaks between ideas in sentences. Originally, typewriters had monospaced fonts skinny letters and fat letters took up the same amount of space, so two spaces. The writing center commas, semicolons, and colons guides. Quiz answer key sponsored by the center for teaching and learning of uis tf commas clarify meaning and set sentence meter for readers. Identify when to use semicolons and commas in complex sentences. Think carefully about what each type of punctuation is designed to. Here are the two most common uses of the semicolon. Even when the house looks clean, there is usually a bunch of dirt swept under the rug. It is important for students to know that the semicolon does not function in the same way as the comma. Use this quizworksheet combo to help you test your understanding of colons, semicolons, and periods. To connect independent clauses and avoid runon sentences b. Commas, colons, and semicolons commas are used to separate ideas, to set off special elements, and to set off quotations. Place semicolons between items in lists if some items the list include commas.
The space needed after these punctuation marks is proportioned automatically. The washington monument, a massive obelisk, was completed in 1884. 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. Commas, semicolons, and colons the chicago school of. I have a big test tomorrow comma, semicolon as a result, i cant go out tonight. Introduction to the semicolon semicolons and complex. Additional resources purdue owl brief overview of punctuation. Determine if the empty spaces need a semicolon, a comma, or.
The focus of the first quiz is on separating dependent and independent clauses using commas and semicolons appropriately. 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. 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. So, its better to keep your concepts clear then screwing up a paragraph or essay. What are commas, semicolons, and colons cliffsnotes. 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. In each of these sentences a period could be used instead of the semicolon.
Semicolon worksheets and activities ereading worksheets. From who and whom to hyphens, from commas to plain language, from. Also use the semicolon when you already have commas within a sentence for smaller separations, and you need the semicolon to show bigger separations. 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. If youre behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. Originally, typewriters had monospaced fonts skinny letters and fat letters took up the same. Commas, colons, and semicolons powerpoint lesson this animated slideshow will teach students about the. 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. A semicolon can be used to join two or more complete sentences independent clauses.
Think carefully about what each type of punctuation is designed to do before choosing the correct answer. Our semicolon worksheets are free to download and easy to access in pdf format. This office cannot accept your complaint, we have brought it before the appropriate. 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. To help separate items in a list, when some of those items already contain commas. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and. Identify which punctuation mark should be used in the sentences. 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. Use a semicolon in the appropriate place to combine the following. 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. A semicolon is a form of punctuation that sorts out complex lists or links complete clauses. 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. This 1page quiz assesses student understanding of the following forms of punctuation. Semicolon and colon rules johnson county community.
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. Semicolons are almost always used together with conjunctions 10. The manuscript left many unanswered questions are the archives complete. What are commas, semicolons, and colons they add pacing and clarity. In writing, we use colons and semicolons to make connections and introductions. In this sentence, the semicolon is used instead of a period. Semicolons and colons quiz 2 the blue book of grammar. This is a collection of four formative or summative assessments. A semicolon creates more separation between thoughts than a comma does but less than a period does. The main function of a colon is to introduce what follows it. Semicolons are only used in lists that have internal commas.
Answer key to colons and semicolons worksheets kiddy math. Semicolons, colons, and dashes sonoma state university. Colons and semicolons the colon follows an independent clause a complete statement and introduces one of three things. Colons, semicolons, dashes, and parentheses first floor william t. Here are some free resources to help you learn and teach semicolons. 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. In most situations, semicolons and colons are interchangeable. It is more pronounced and has a pause slightly longer than a comma. Pecks english pointers is a collection of lively articles spanning english grammar, punctuation, usage and clarity. Included with this is a page that teaches wrong answer analysis. Displaying all worksheets related to semicolons commas. The semicolon functions more like a period than a comma. Carla often participated in school plays, but she always ended up playing minor roles. Nov 27, 2019 a punctuation quiz to help you revise semicolons, colons, and commas.
Part iv all the commas and semicolons have been omitted from the following sentences. Students are required to place proper punctuation throughout the statements provided. For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. Use a semicolon in the appropriate place to combine the following independent clauses. Semicolons and colons quiz 2 from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar. 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. Also check out the recent post on serial commas and serial semicolons on the mla style center. Semicolons and colons basic grammar and punctuation. The weeds in my yard are very green, unfortunately, the grass is brown and dying. Take this quiz and test your knowledge, even if you get the answers wrong, you can always learn. Each number contains one or two sentences which may have one or more commas or semicolons missing.
Each of the following sentences needs either a comma or a semicolon. Quia commas, semicolons and colons millionaire game. 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. Exercising helps to keep you healthy and fit proper nutrition is also important. Identify whether to use colons or semicolons in sentences. A punctuation quiz to help you revise semicolons, colons, and commas.