SemiColons - TedEd MC

One of the semicolon's grammatical functions is to:

• highlight important parts of a sentence

• group together items of exactly the same meaning

• separate items in a list

• emphasize differences in a sentence

Another of the semicolon's grammatical functions is to:

• link related clauses in a sentence

• break apart descriptive phrases

• separate unimportant facts from important ones

• improve

Semicolons should never be placed before:

• words beginning with a captial

• coordinating conjunctions

• verbs

• adjectives

Independent clauses:

• are clauses that make sense when they stand alone

• tell more about other parts of the sentence

• rely on semicolons to make sense

• should never be separated by semicolons

Choose the statement that is true:

• Semicolons can replace all periods and commas

• Semicolons can add clarity and interest to sentences

Which is a better sentence?

• I took two months off to go to Paris, France, Crete, Greece, Istanbul, Turkey, and London, England.

• I took two months off to go to Paris, France; Crete, Greece; Istanbul, Turkey; and London, England.

Which is a better sentence?

• I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery in Paris. The Eiffel Tower is especially beautiful.

• I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery in Paris; the Eiffel Tower is especially beautiful.

Where does the semicolon go?
You need new brakes otherwise, you may not be able to stop in time.

• need;
• brakes;
• you;
• able;

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

CCSS.L.9-10.2

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Where does the semicolon go?
Spring brings gentle rains and warmer weather in addition, there are thunderstorms and hail.

• Spring;
• weather;
• thunderstorms;
• in;

A semicolon connects...

• two independent clauses that are closely related ideas
• two dependent clauses that are closely related ideas

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A