2/15 - colons, semicolons, clauses and phrases

colons, semicolons, clauses and phrases

​LT: I can review when to use semicolons, colons, clauses and phrases in my writing.

When Should I Use a Colon?

Use a colon to:

• introduce a list after a complete sentence.

• introduce an explanation, example, or clarification.

• separate the hour from the minutes in time notation.

When Should I Use a Semicolon?

Use a semicolon to:

1. Use a semicolon to connect two closely related independent clauses
   

2. Use a semicolon with transition words when connecting two closely related (THANOS) ;therefore,

3. Use a semicolon to separate items in a list when the items themselves contain commas.
   

REMEMBER....

Both colons and semicolons SHOULD NOT be followed by a capital letter,
UNLESS,
it is a proper noun or the start of a direct quotation.

Multiple Choice

I drove through Nashville, TN, Memphis, TN, Little Rock, AR, and Fayetteville, AR.

• I drove through Nashville, TN; Memphis, TN; Little Rock, AR; and Fayetteville, AR.

• I drove through Nashville; TN, Memphis; TN, Little Rock; AR, and Fayetteville; AR.

• I drove through Nashville TN: Memphis TN; Little Rock AR; and Fayetteville AR.

• Correct as is

Multiple Choice

Select the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.

• The garden contained vegetables; they will harvest them in fall.

• The garden contained vegetables; that are really good.

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.

Multiple Choice

My sister has hairy knuckles; she likes to comb them when she's bored. 

• correct use of a semicolon
• incorrect use of a semicolon

Multiple Choice

Which of the following punctuation marks is a semicolon?

• :
• ;
• ,
• ...

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

• Napoleon Dynamite is often teased at school; however, he is able to make friends with Deb and Pedro.

• Napoleon Dynamite is often teased at school, however, he is able to make friends with Deb and Pedro.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

• Napoleon's grandma breaks her tailbone in an accident; she asks Uncle Rico to come watch the boys.

• Napoleon's grandma breaks her tailbone in an accident, she asks Uncle Rico to come watch the boys.

Multiple Choice

At the beach stars shine brighter than in the city.

How would you categorize the words in pink.

• Phrase

• Clause

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is written correctly?

• Please get: eggs, milk, and bread.

• We currently have two members in our club: Linda and Fiona.

Multiple Choice

During that winter my father started getting tired of the snow and the cold wind from the mountains.

Do the words in pink represent a(n) ...

• phrase

• independent clause

• dependent clause

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is written correctly?

• Here are the three books that I have read; Goldie Locks and the 3 Bears, Houdini, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

• Here are the three books that I have read: Goldie Locks and the 3 Bears, Houdini, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

• Charlotte's sister read: Goldie Locks and the 3 Bears, Houdini, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Independent Clauses

Have a subject/verb pair which allows them to stand alone as a complete sentence.

Dependent Clauses

Have a subject/verb pair, but CANNOT stand alone because they begin with words making them incomplete (after/although/as/before/even/if/since/until)

In other words

In a sentence, one part with subject and verb is a clause while the rest of it without those two parts of speeches is a phrase.

Multiple Choice

after I walked away from the explosion

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause

Multiple Choice

I failed my test

• dependent (subordinate) clause

• independent clause

Multiple Choice

as Sarah rode the flying pig

• dependent (subordinate) clause

• independent clause

Phrases

Do not have a subject/verb pair and cannot stand alone as sentences. Sometimes they have a verb with no subject or a noun with no verb

Multiple Choice

on a sunny day

• phrase

• clause

Multiple Choice

fighting in Narnia

• phrase

• clause

Multiple Choice

because she cried

• phrase

• clause

Multiple Choice

Fred loves chicken

• phrase

• clause

Multiple Choice

the dog sneezed

• phrase

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause

Multiple Choice

as he ran

• phrase

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause

Multiple Choice

swinging from the tree

• phrase

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause

Multiple Choice

she fell down the stairs

• phrase

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause