Semicolon Review

Semicolon Review

By Christina Miller

Draw

Semicolons ( ; ) are punctuation marks that usually indicate a pause between two main clauses. Semicolons can also be used to separate items in a long list or a list that contains other punctuation. Semicolons also come before a conjunctive adverb that connects two independent clauses. When using a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb, include a comma after the adverb. Practice using semicolons and commas by placing them in the sentences correctly.

Red - semicolon

Green - comma​

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Check your answers!

Multiple Select

Which of the following correctly creates a compound sentence.

Select all that apply.

Marissa went to the library. She checked out 3 books.

• Marissa went to the library, and she checked out 3 books.

• Marissa went to the library; therefore, she checked out 3 books.

• Marissa went to the library; she checked out 3 books.

• Marissa went to the library, she checked out 3 books.

Multiple Select

Which of the following correctly creates a compound sentence.

Select all that apply.

English is my favorite class. I look forward to it every day.

• English is my favorite class; therefore, I look forward to it every day.

• English is my favorite class, therefore; I look forward to it every day.

• English is my favorite class, so I look forward to it every day.

• English is my favorite class, I look forward to it every day.

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence punctuated correctly.

The students are very organized; everything they need is on their laptops.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence punctuated correctly.

After school; I am going to go to the mall.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence punctuated correctly.

My math teacher; is very funny.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence punctuated correctly.

My reading score has improved; I've been doing Achieve 3000 every day.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence punctuated correctly.

I don't have any money; I spent it all on lunch.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Choose the conjunctive adverb that best shows the relationship between the two independent clauses.

Red is my favorite color. I like wearing blue sometimes.

• Red is my favorite color; however, I like wearing blue sometimes.

• Red is my favorite color; therefore, I like to wear blue sometimes.

• Red is my favorite color; truly, I like to wear blue sometimes.

• Red is my favorite color; in fact, I like wearing blue sometimes.

Multiple Choice

Choose the conjunctive adverb that best shows the relationship between the two independent clauses.

I like you a lot. I think we should be best friends.

• I like you a lot; then, I think we should be best friends.

• I like you a lot; however, I think we should be best friends.

• I like you a lot; in fact, I think we should be best friends.

• I like you a lot; meanwhile, I think we should be best friends.

Multiple Choice

Choose the conjunctive adverb that best shows the relationship between the two independent clauses.

I was very focused in class. I got an A on the test.

• I was very focused; however, I got an A on the test.

• I was very focused; consequently, I got an A on the test.

• I was very focused in class; next, I got an A on the test.

• I was very focused in class; besides, I got an A on the test.

Multiple Choice

Choose the conjunctive adverb that best shows the relationship between the two independent clauses.

My attendance was not great last semester. I did not get very good grades.

• My attendance was not great last semester; however, I did not get very good grades.

• My attendance was not great last semester; indeed, I did not get very good grades.

• My attendance was not great last semester; meanwhile, I did not get very good grades.

• My attendance was not great last semester; therefore, I did not get very good grades.

Open Ended

Write a correctly punctuated compound sentence.

Open Ended

Write a correctly punctuated compound sentence using a semicolon AND a conjunctive adverb.

Open Ended

Write a correctly punctuated complex sentence.