Punctuation

Semicolons

• Used to link two related thoughts

• Used with two COMPLETE thoughts - you will never use a semicolon to join a complete thought with an incomplete thought

• No comma or conjunction necessary

• Example: I love the rain; I find it peaceful and relaxing.

Colons

• Used to introduce an example, explanation, quotation, or list

• Always follows a complete thought

• Think of a colon as a replacement for the words "here's what I mean."

• Example: There are three types of muscle in the body: cardiac, smooth, and skeletal.

• COMMON MISTAKE: Do not use a colon to separate a verb from its object or subject complements

• INCORRECT: The three types of muscle in the body are: cardiac, smooth, and skeletal. (no additional punctuation is needed here)

Summary

• Use a colon when you are adding something to the original thought to make it better/make it make more sense.

• Use a colon when you are providing more context or information to the original complete thought.

• Use a semicolon when adding a new but related complete thought to the original complete thought.

• FYI: no need to capitalize the first letter after the punctuation (for both semicolons and colons)

Multiple Choice

Which punctuation should go between the red and blue text? The stamps in his stamp collection were of great quality _ they were also hard to find.

• Colon

• Semicolon

Multiple Choice

Which punctuation should go between the red and blue text? My plan was straightforward _ walk right up to Mickey Mouse and ask for his autograph.

• Colon

• Semicolon

Multiple Choice

Which punctuation should go between the red and blue text? When I graduate, I want to go to three places _ Rome, Israel, and Egypt.

• Colon

• Semicolon

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses dashes correctly?

• Victoria bought her favorite- plant a cactus!

• Victoria bought her favorite plant a- cactus

• Victoria bought her favorite plant- a cactus

Multiple Choice

Insert the missing dashes.

Sara chose her research topic blue whales.

• research-

• topic-

• blue-

The 4 Possessive Apostrophe Rules

1. ​A singular noun with no s on the end

   1. ​add 's (dog's collar)

2. ​A singular noun with an s on the end

   1. ​add 's (bus's route)

3. ​Plural nouns with no s on the end

   1. ​add 's (children's group)

4. ​Plural nouns with an s on the end

   1. ​only add ' (all the trees' leaves)

Multiple Choice

After school, Susan helped Shaun change the tire of his parents car before he dropped her off at home.

• NO CHANGE

• his parents'

• Shaun's parents

• Shauns parents'

Multiple Choice

We design the frosting pattern on the cake's tiers layer by layer.

• NO CHANGE

• cakes tiers,

• cakes tiers

• tier's for the cake,

Multiple Choice

Upon hearing the news of the mayor's choice for city dog catcher, the citys residents took up a petition to show their disapproval.

• NO CHANGE

• cities

• cities'

• city's

Multiple Choice

She had even drawn several sketches that depicted the butterflies, some making lazy circles amongst the flowers, some flitting in front of the boy's faces.

• NO CHANGE

• boys' faces

• boys faces

• boys face's

Multiple Choice

Identify the appositive phrase.

I would love a bright red Porsche, a sports car.

• I

• would love

• bright red Porshe

• a sports car

Multiple Choice

Identify the appositive phrase.

Macy's, a large department store, is centered in New York.

• Macy's

• A large department store

• is centered

• in New York

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• I wanted to buy cookies chips and, candy

• I wanted to buy cookies, chips, and candy.

• I wanted to buy cookies chips and candy.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• Do not run, jump, or skip in the hall.

• Do not run, jump, or skip, in the hall.

• Do not run, jump or skip in the hall.

Commas and Introductory Elements

A commas is also used after an introductory word (yes, no, as usual, well) at the beginning of a sentence.

Example: Yes, there is some ice cream left in the freezer.

Commas and Introductory Elements

Use a comma to separate an introductory element from the main clause that follows.

Mild exclamations such as well, oh, yes, no, or why

Ex. Well, I wanted to go, but I couldn't.

Adverbs/Conjunctions such as quietly, sadly, however, ultimately, consequently

Ex. However, you are not ready.

Introductory Verb Phrases

Ex. Signaling for a timeout, the coach gathered her players.

Prepositional Phrases

Ex. At the conclusion of the first half, her team was trailing by four points.

After subordinate clauses

Ex. Because you are tardy to school, you need to stop in the office for a pass.

Ex. Even though it is cold, we might not get a snow day.

Multiple Choice

Which is correctly punctuated?

• Yes experts use tests to determine personality traits.

• Yes, experts use tests to determine personality traits.

• Yes, experts use tests, to determine personality traits.

Multiple Choice

Which is correctly punctuated?

• Although, you may think you can't be classified, your personality-test results can reveal plenty about you.

• Although you think you can't be classified, your personality-test results can reveal plenty about you.

• Although you think you can't be classified your personality-test results can reveal plenty about you.