Semicolons

​Semicolons - Not Just for the Winky Face ;)

By Kelsey McKibben

Semicolon Rule #1

COMPOUND SENTENCES

• I like working outside; I also enjoy reading.

• I like pizza; it doesn’t like me.

Semicolon Rule #2

BEFORE CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB

• I like working outside; however, I also enjoy reading.

• I am married; therefore, I wear a wedding ring.

Semicolon Rule #3

SERIES WITH INTERNAL PUNCTUATION

• While fishing, Jeff caught rainbow, brook, and lake trout; large-mouth, small-mouth, and white bass; and a few northern pike.

• We visited Las Vegas, Nevada; San Diego, California; San Francisco, California; and Seattle, Washington.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is correct.

• My friend was feeling sick; the teacher walked her to the office.

• My friend was feeling sick; The teacher walked her to the office.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is correct.

• Your dog ran in my yard; in addition, he dug up my roses!

• Your dog ran in my yard; in addition; he dug up my roses!

• Your dog ran in my yard; In addition he dug up my roses!

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is correct.

• Pam and Lisa had a fight; They are not talking to each other today.

• Pam and Lisa had a fight; they are not talking to each other today.

• Pam and Lisa had a fight; and they are not talking to each other today.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is correct.

• I went to a scary movie. however; i did not feel scared.

• I went to a scary movie; however, I did not feel scared.

• I went to a scary movie, however, I did not feel scared.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is correct.

• We did an experiment in class; All the students participated.

• We did an experiment in class; all the students participated.

• We did an experiment in class; And all the students participated.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is correct.

• We can go to the museum to do some research; mondays are pretty quiet there.

• We can go to the museum to do some research; Mondays are pretty quiet there.

• We can go to the museum to do some research; because Mondays are pretty quiet there.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is correct.

• You need to finish your homework, otherwise, you will not pass!

• You need to finish your homework, Otherwise, you will not pass!

• You need to finish your homework; otherwise, you will not pass!

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is correct.

• My science teacher makes me laugh; therefore. he is my favorite teacher.

• My science teacher makes me laugh; therefore; he is my favorite teacher.

• My science teacher makes me laugh; therefore, he is my favorite teacher.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is correct.

• Cara needs to be home early; consequently, she went right home after school.

• Cara needs to be home early. consequently; she went right home after school.

• Cara needs to be home early, consequently, she went right home after school.

Multiple Choice

Pick the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.

• James will be late to next period he needs to finish his exam.

• James will be late to next period; he needs to finish his exam.

• James will be late to next period he needs to finish; his exam.

• James; will be late to next period he needs to finish his exam.

Multiple Choice

Pick the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.

• I went to the movies this weekend; my mom got a popcorn.

• I went; to the movies this weekend my mom got a popcorn.

• I went to the movies this; weekend my mom got a popcorn.

• I went to the movies this weekend my mom got; a popcorn.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that uses semicolons correctly.

• The drama club is rehearsing they stay; after school every day.

• The drama club is rehearsing they stay after; school every day.

• The drama club is rehearsing; they stay after school every day.

• The drama club; is rehearsing they stay after school every day.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that uses semicolons correctly.

• Tom reads newspapers however, he skips; to the comics.

• Tom reads; newspapers however, he skips to the comics.

• Tom: reads newspapers however, he skips to the comics.

• Tom reads newspapers; however, he skips to the comics.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.

• Sabrina loves to bake however, her cookies; never turn out right.

• Sabrina loves to bake; however, her cookies never turn out right.

• Sabrina loves to bake however, her cookies never; turn out right.

• Sabrina loves; to bake however, her cookies never turn out right.

Multiple Select

Which of the following examples demonstrates correct use of a semicolon in a serial list? (Pick two.)

• I need the weather statistics for the following cities: London, England, London, Ontario, Paris, France, Paris, Ontario, Perth, Scotland, and Perth, Ontario.

• I need the weather statistics for the following cities: London, England; London, Ontario; Paris, France; Paris, Ontario; Perth, Scotland; and Perth, Ontario.

• My plan included taking him to a nice-though not necessarily expensive-dinner, going to the park to look at the stars, which, by the way, are amazing this time of year, and serenading him with my accordion.

• My plan included taking him to a nice-though not necessarily expensive-dinner; going to the park to look at the stars, which, by the way, are amazing this time of year; and serenading him with my accordion.

Multiple Choice

Which is punctuated correctly?

• She invited John, the baker; Simon, the policeman; and Toby, the architect.

• She invited John, the baker, Simon, the policeman, and Toby, the architect.

• She invited John; the baker; Simon; the policeman; and Toby; the architect.

Multiple Choice

Which is punctuated correctly?

• I have been to Newcastle, Carlisle, and York in the North, Bristol, Exeter, and Portsmouth in the South, and Cromer, Norwich, and Lincoln in the East.

• I have been to Newcastle, Carlisle, and York in the North; Bristol, Exeter, and Portsmouth in the South; and Cromer, Norwich, and Lincoln in the East.

• I have been to Newcastle; Carlisle; and York in the North, Bristol; Exeter; and Portsmouth in the South, and Cromer; Norwich; and Lincoln in the East.

Multiple Choice

Where should you add a semicolon (;) in this sentence: On spring break, I visited: Little Rock, AR Memphis, TN and Nashville TN.

• Little Rock; AR, Memphis; TN, and Nashville; TN

• Little Rock, AR; Memphis, TN; and Nashville, TN

• Little Rock, AR; Memphis, TN and Nashville, TN

• No change

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon to separate items in a list.

• On our trip, we visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Berlin, Germany.

• On our trip, we visited Paris; France, Rome; Italy, and Berlin; Germany.

• On our trip, we visited Paris, France; Rome; Italy; and Berlin, Germany.

• On our trip, we visited Paris, France, Rome, Italy, and Berlin, Germany.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon to separate items in a complex list?

• The conference was attended by John Smith, CEO; Jane Doe, CFO; and Michael Brown, CTO.

• The conference was attended by John Smith; CEO, Jane Doe; CFO, and Michael Brown; CTO.

• The conference was attended by John Smith, CEO, Jane Doe, CFO, and Michael Brown, CTO.

• The conference was attended by John Smith; CEO; Jane Doe; CFO; and Michael Brown; CTO.