Colon Usage

Colon and Semicolon use.

by Rachman Brainwave

Commas and Semicolons

Commas to Introduce

• Commas separate transition words

• Commas separate introductions (a clause. Not a part of the main sentence)

• Commas separate speech tags and tag questions

Multiple Choice

In a sentence, which word would need a comma after it?

• The

• Secondly

• For

• Just

Commas in Series

• Series is a list of 3 or more items

• Put comma after each item (except the last one)

• 1. fishermen, 2. laborers, 3. farmers

Semicolons in Series

• Use ; when the item that you are listing already has a comma in it

• Example: Whittier, California

• City, State

Semicolons in Series

• Dates are also separated by a comma

• February 22, 2021

• Monday, February 22nd.

Multiple Choice

Which one is separated correctly?

• Parent conferences are on Thursday, February 18; Friday, February 19; and Monday, February 22.

• Parent conferences are on Thursday; February 18. Friday; February 19. and Monday; February 22.

• Parent conferences are on Thursday; February 18; Friday; February 19; and Monday; February 22.

• Parent conferences are on Thursday, February 18; Friday, February 19, and Monday, February 22.

A colon as an introduction

Multiple Choice

How should this sentence be separated?

With a comma, semicolon, or a colon?

School will begin on Monday, March 1_ Monday, March 8_ and Monday, March 15.

• comma

• semicolon

• colon

Multiple Choice

After which word should a colon be inserted?

The girls requested the following things for breakfast pancakes, sausage and orange juice.

• requested

• following

• breakfast

Commas to Introduce

• Commas separate transition words

• Commas separate introductions (a clause. Not a part of the main sentence)

• Commas separate speech tags and tag questions

Multiple Choice

^{Place the semi-colon in the correct position.}

I am hot I am wearing a sweater and a jacket.

• hot;

• wearing;

• sweater;

• A semi-colon is not needed.

Multiple Choice

In a sentence, which word would need a comma after it?

• The

• Secondly

• For

• Just

Multiple Choice

^{Place the semi-colon in the correct position.}

The man was wet he was standing in the rain without an umbrella.

• wet;

• rain;

• standing;

• without;

Commas in Series

• Series is a list of 3 or more items

• Put comma after each item (except the last one)

• 1. fishermen, 2. laborers, 3. farmers

Multiple Choice

^{Place the semi-colon in the correct position.}

I cannot buy a new car I do not have much money

• cannot;

• buy;

• car;

• As it is

Multiple Choice

How many commas are needed to list these items:

dog

cat

bird

fish

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

Multiple Choice

^{Place the semi-colons in the correct positions.}

This summer I am going to visit Memphis, Tennessee Jackson, Mississippi Little Rock, Arkansas and St. Louis, Missouri.

• visit; and Memphis;

• Tennessee; Mississippi; and Arkansas;

• Arkansas; and St. Louis;

• Little Rock; and Arkansas;

Multiple Choice

Which one is separated by commas correctly?

• I like cake, candy, and lemonade.

• I like cake, candy and lemonade.

• I like cake, candy, lemonade.

• I, like cake, candy and lemonade

Multiple Choice

After which word should a colon be inserted?

The teacher shared one of John F. Kennedy's most famous quotes "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

• Kennedy's

• quotes

• you

Semicolons in Series

• Use ; when the item that you are listing already has a comma in it

• Example: Whittier, California

• City, State

Multiple Choice

Which punctuation mark is needed in the following sentence?

The children asked for four supplies glitter, glue, markers and poster board.

• semi-colon

• colon

• neither of these

Semicolons in Series

• Dates are also separated by a comma

• February 22, 2021

• Monday, February 22nd.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence.

• This is what you need at the grocery store milk, bacon, and eggs.

• This is what you need at the grocery store: milk, bacon and eggs.

• This is what you need at the grocery store; milk, bacon and eggs.

Multiple Choice

Which one is separated correctly?

• Parent conferences are on Thursday, February 18; Friday, February 19; and Monday, February 22.

• Parent conferences are on Thursday; February 18. Friday; February 19. and Monday; February 22.

• Parent conferences are on Thursday; February 18; Friday; February 19; and Monday; February 22.

• Parent conferences are on Thursday, February 18; Friday, February 19, and Monday, February 22.

Multiple Choice

Last night's rain left the tree-lined trail in the park wet and muddy ___ nevertheless, I enjoyed the fresh, clean air.

• semi-colon

• colon

• comma

• none of the above

Colons

• Colons announce quotes

• Colons introduce lists

• Colons also separate hours from minutes (10:30)

Multiple Choice

Insert the correct punctuation.

Zadie Smith is a writer who grew up in London ____ she is best known for her award-winning novel 'White Teeth'.

• comma

• semi-colon

• colon

A colon as an introduction

Multiple Choice

Where should the semi-colon be placed?

Dad is going bald his hair is getting thinner and thinner.

• getting;

• bald;

• hair;

Multiple Choice

How should this sentence be separated?

With a comma, semicolon, or a colon?

My father always told me this piece of advice_ "Forgive and forget."

• comma

• semicolon

• colon

Multiple Choice

Where should the semi-colon be placed?

She didn’t see the other car coming now her car has a huge dent.

• see;

• her;

• coming;

Multiple Choice

How should this sentence be separated?

With a comma, semicolon, or a colon?

The sunset is red_ yellow_ and orange.

• comma

• semicolon

• colon

Multiple Choice

Is this sentence correct?
People often say that I look like my sister; however, we don't really see a resemblance.

• yes
• no

Multiple Choice

How should this sentence be separated?

With a comma, semicolon, or a colon?

I like to go to the park_ beach_ and hiking.

• comma

• semicolon

• colon

Multiple Choice

After which word in the sentence should the semi-colon be placed?

The sky was cloudy however, it never rained.

• sky

• cloudy

• however

Multiple Choice

How should this sentence be separated?

With a comma, semicolon, or a colon?

School will begin on Monday, March 1_ Monday, March 8_ and Monday, March 15.

• comma

• semicolon

• colon