Semicolons

7.10 Using Language

7 A Different Medium

Multiple Choice

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• Thomas excelled in playing the tuba, yet he rarely needed to practice.

• Thomas excelled in playing the tuba; yet he rarely needed to practice.

• Thomas excelled in playing the tuba: yet he rarely needed to practice.

Multiple Choice

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• They were missing a few things on their camping trip, namely; they forgot sunscreen, towels, and firewood.

• They were missing a few things on their camping trip; namely, they forgot sunscreen, towels, and firewood.

• They were missing a few things on their camping trip, namely: they forgot sunscreen, towels, and firewood.

Multiple Choice

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• Please give me some time I do not want to be rushed.

• Please give me some time; I do not want to be rushed.

• Please give me some time, I do not want to be rushed.

• A semicolon links two complete sentences together!

• As they walked through the woods, they saw a large deer; it ran away quickly.

• Rupert ran to the cabin, but no one was there.

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7.10 Using Language

REMEMBER

So how do we actually use a semicolon?

Let us take a look!

• A semicolon is not meant to be used to introduce a list. That is the job of a colon.

• These are the types of food that I like: Italian, Japanese and Belgian.

• These are the types of food that I like; Italian, Japanese and Belgian.

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7.10 Using Language

It DOES NOT introduce a list!

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence correctly punctuated?

There are three items that I love: books, phones and pens.

• Yes! It is!

• No! It is not!

• I'm sorry but I'm not sure :(

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence correctly punctuated?

I feel like eating two of my favourite food; sushi and burgers.

• Yes! It is!

• No! It is not!

• I'm sorry but I'm not sure :(

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence correctly punctuated?

There are three things that every dog needs: food, water and love.

• Yes! It is!

• No! It is not!

• I'm sorry but I'm not sure :(

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence correctly punctuated?

You should use colons in the the following ways; list, result and explanations.

• Yes! It is!

• No! It is not!

• I'm sorry but I'm not sure :(

Can you explain why the following sentence is wrong?

There is one student who is currently missing from online lesson; Hern.

Open Ended

Can you explain why the following sentence is wrong?

There is one student who is currently missing from online lesson; Hern.

There are two reasons!

1. The line after the semicolon is not a complete sentence!

2. A semicolon does not introduce a list! It is the job of a colon!

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There is one student who is currently missing from online lesson: Hern.

• A semicolon can be used to divide items in a list if necessary.

• This occurs when commas are already used as a part of the item.

• Example: Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

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7.10 Using Language

Using Semicolons as Part of a List

Using Semicolons as Part of a List

• A semicolon can be used to divide items in a list if necessary.

• This occurs when commas are already used as a part of the item.

• Example: Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

What's wrong with the following sentence?

Lee Moon's favourite cities to travel are Paris, France, New York, USA and Bruges, Belgium.

It is unclear how many items are in this list!

Lee Moon's favourite cities to travel are Paris, France, New York, USA and Bruges, Belgium.

Does Lee Moon have six favourite cities?

A semicolon will make the list a lot clearer!

Lee Moon's favourite cities to travel are Paris, France; New York, USA; and Bruges, Belgium.

Now we know that Lee Moon has three favourite cities!

• Identify the individual items.

• Add the semicolons between the different items.

• Reminder: Only add semicolons if it is necessary!

7.10 Using Language

How do we add semicolons to a list?

Step 1: Identify the different items

The recipients of the awards are Yen Thong from Tianjin, China, Gordon from Aktau, Kazakhstan, and Chloe from Mechelen, Belgium.

Different Items Identified!

The recipients of the awards are Yen Thong from Tianjin, China, Gordon from Aktau, Kazakhstan, and Chloe from Mechelen, Belgium.

Step 2: Are the commas a part of the item name?

The recipients of the awards are Yen Thong from Tianjin, China, Gordon from Aktau, Kazakhstan, and Chloe from Mechelen, Belgium.

Yes! In this case, adding semicolons will be helpful!

The recipients of the awards are Yen Thong from Tianjin, China, Gordon from Aktau, Kazakhstan, and Chloe from Mechelen, Belgium.

Step 3: Place the semicolons in between the units

The recipients of the awards are Yen Thong from Tianjin, China, Gordon from Aktau, Kazakhstan, and Chloe from Mechelen, Belgium.

Done!

The recipients of the awards are Yen Thong from Tianjin, China; Gordon from Aktau, Kazakhstan; and Chloe from Mechelen, Belgium.

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence correctly punctuated?

My friends are Jacob; Andrew; and Roy.

• Yes! It is!

• No! It is not!

• I'm sorry but I'm not sure :(

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence correctly punctuated?

The students on each three-player team were James, Amy, and Paul; Violet, William, and Meg; and Brett, Tara, and Casey.

• Yes! It is!

• No! It is not!

• I'm sorry but I'm not sure :(

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence correctly punctuated?

On our vacation we will visit Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Vienna, Austria.

• Yes! It is!

• No! It is not!

• I'm sorry but I'm not sure :(

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence correctly punctuated?

The plane stopped in Chicago, Illinois, Atlanta; Georgia and Houston; Texas.

• Yes! It is!

• No! It is not!

• I'm sorry but I'm not sure :(

Open Ended

Add the commas and semicolons to this list.

The winners of the local art competition were Jo Ackerman Rusternberg Junior School Vuyiswa Doo Bergvliet Primary School Willem van Biljon Greenway Junior School and Rose Makwenda Timour Hall Primary School.

• A semicolon connects two independent clauses but are related in ideas.

• It was a fun night; the performers were magnificent!

• The dog chased after the bone; the robbers got away!

7.10 Using Language

To Connect Two Closely Related Ideas

Open Ended

Add semicolons to the following sentences:

The hall was silent only the distant whispering behind scenes could be heard.

Open Ended

Add semicolons to the following sentences:

The athletes were exhausted it was a long, grueling race.

• Common conjunctions that can be replaced: and, but

• I like chicken; my sister prefers pork. (but)

• I went to the party; it was fun. (and)

7.10 Using Language

Using semicolons to replace conjunctions

Using Semicolons as Explanation

• Both colons and semicolons can be used to add explanation

• We will be heading to school tomorrow: we need to collect our books.

• We will be heading to school tomorrow; we need to collect our books.

• The explanation should occur after the semicolon, explaining the clause before the semicolon.

• Both colons and semicolons can be used to add explanation

• We will be heading to school tomorrow: we need to collect our books.

• We will be heading to school tomorrow; we need to collect our books.

• The explanation should occur after the semicolon, explaining the clause before the semicolon.

7.10 Using Language

Using Semicolons as Explanation

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentence is correct?

• The outdoor concert was a disaster; it was raining cats and dogs.

• It was raining cats and dogs; the outdoor concert was a disaster.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation:

• Aladdin played with Jaafar's beard; consequently, the beard got tangled

• Aladdin played with Jaafar's beard, the beard got tangled

• Aladdin played with Jaafar's beard; and the beard got tangled

• Aladdin played with Jaafar's beard; consequently, got tangled

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation:

• Jane believed that the situation could not get any worse; it started raining.

• Jane believed that the situation could not get any worse, it started raining.

• Jane believed that the situation could not get any worse; It started raining.

• Jane believed that the situation could not get any worse; however it started raining.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation:

• Rafiki raised his staff swung it at Simba and taught him a lesson.

• Rafiki raised his staff, swung it at Simba and taught him a lesson.

• Rafiki raised his staff, swung it at Simba; taught him a lesson.

• Rafiki raised his staff, swung it at Simba; and taught him a lesson.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation:

• Chip and Dale are having a lot of fun as they dance around each other.

• Chip and Dale are having a lot of fun; as they dance around each other.

• Chip and Dale are having a lot of fun; dance around each other.

• Chip and Dale are having a lot of fun; because they dance around each other.

Open Ended

Add colons to the following sentence:

We have many gadgets televisions, tablets, laptops and smart phones.

Open Ended

Add colons to the following sentence:

I enjoy one subject the most English.

Draw

Draw a hippopotamus wearing sunglasses!