Grammar Glue

Front

What is the primary function of a semi-colon in a sentence?

Back

A semi-colon is used to connect closely related independent clauses and to separate items in a complex list.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

Front

Identify the incorrect sentence: 'My husband and I love to garden; We spend a lot of time and money on planting flowers each spring.'

Back

The sentence is incorrect because 'We' should not be capitalized after a semi-colon.

Front

What does FANBOYS stand for in grammar?

Back

FANBOYS is an acronym for the coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

Front

How should a coordinating conjunction be used in a sentence?

Back

A coordinating conjunction should be used to connect two independent clauses, typically preceded by a comma.

Front

What is the correct way to use a semi-colon in a sentence?

Back

A semi-colon can be used to link two independent clauses that are closely related in thought.

Front

Provide an example of a correct use of a semi-colon.

Back

Example: 'I have a big test tomorrow; I can’t go out tonight.'

Front

What punctuation mark is used to separate items in a complex list?

Back

A semi-colon is used to separate items in a complex list when the items themselves contain commas.

Front

What is the difference between a comma and a semi-colon?

Back

A comma is used to separate items in a list or clauses, while a semi-colon connects closely related independent clauses.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semi-colon.