2022 Commas, Semicolons, and Colons

How is it one careless match can start a forest fire; but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

Is the semicolon used correctly?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

This would not be correct because the semicolon is not linking the two sentences or introducing a list. The correct punctuation would be a comma to demonstrate the pause in the sentence.

Is the following comma used correctly:

"Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you, but not in one ahead."

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

The comma is used to show a pause in the sentence. It would not be another punctuation, like a semicolon, because you aren't linking two sentences.

I intend to live forever: so far, so good.

Is the colon used correctly?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

You are linking two separate sentences so a colon would be the proper punctuation

Is the following comma used correctly:

"America is a country where half the money is spent buying food, and the other half is spent trying to lose weight."

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

You aren't connecting two sentences here or introducing a list, instead, you are simply taking a pause and furthering the sentence you already started, so a comma is needed

My mom once said, "It is amazing how quickly the kids learn to drive a car, yet are unable to understand the lawnmower, snowblower, and vacuum cleaner." Is all punctuation used correctly?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

The commas are used to separate items in a list and set up the sentence for the list, so they are used correctly. Some may think a semicolon or colon needs to be before the list, however, the list doesn't come immediately after the punctuation so that would be incorrect.

^{Is the semicolon used correctly?}

Housework can’t kill you; but why take a chance?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

This is one whole sentence, not two sentences being linked, so a comma would be used here to create a pause.

I like work: it fascinates me.

Is the colon used correctly?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

It is a complete sentence before the colon and WHY "I" like work is further explained after the colon.

"Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings." Is the colon used correctly?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

You are linking two ideas so a colon would be the best option here

"Why do people say 'no offense;' right before they’re about to offend you?" Is the semicolon used correctly?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

The information being linked is a part of one idea, not two. Instead of a semicolon, there should be a comma

Greg King once said, "Do not argue with an idiot, he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience." Is the comma used correctly?

• Yes
• No

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

CCSS.L.9-10.2