Colons & Semicolons

Which punctuation is a colon?

• ,

• -

• ;

• :

Which punctuation can be placed between two sentences that are closely related?

• colon

• semicolon

• apostrophe

• comma

Answer explanation

A comma by itself cannot separate two sentences, but a semicolon can.

Where should the colon go in this sentence:

My favorite favorite food to eat is Chamoru food red rice, chicken kelaguen, and bunelos aga.

• My favorite favorite food: to eat is Chamoru food red rice, chicken kelaguen, and bunelos aga.

• My favorite favorite food to eat is Chamoru food: red rice, chicken kelaguen, and bunelos aga.

• My favorite favorite food to eat is: Chamoru food red rice, chicken kelaguen, and bunelos aga.

• My favorite: favorite food to eat is Chamoru food red rice, chicken kelaguen, and bunelos aga.

Where should the semicolon go in this sentence:

Paul got lost in the woods he strayed away from the group.

• Paul got lost; in the woods he strayed away from the group.

• Paul; got lost in the woods he strayed away from the group.

• Paul got lost in the woods; he strayed away from the group.

• Paul got lost in the woods he strayed; away from the group.

Which is not true about colons?

• Use a colon between the hour and minutes

• Use a colon to show that a list is about to begin

• Use a colon in the greeting of a business letter.

• Use a colon between two sentences that are related to each other

Where should the colon go in this given sentence:

My mom left for work at 530pm.

• My mom left for work at 5:30pm.

• My mom: left for work at 530pm.

• My mom left for work at 53:0pm.

• My mom left for work: at 530pm.

Where should the colon go in this greeting (salutation) of a business letter?

Dear Manager of Kmart

• Dear: Manager of Kmart

• Dear Manager: of Kmart

• Dear Manager of: Kmart

• Dear Manager of Kmart:

Given the following example, which choice uses a semicolon correctly?

Today is going to be a busy day I won't have much time.

• Today is going to be a busy; day I won't have much time.

• Today; is going to be a busy day I won't have much time.

• Today is going to be a busy day I won't; have much time.

• Today is going to be a busy day; I won't have much time.

Given the example, which choice best uses colons ?

The bus comes three times a day 800am, 1130am, and 530pm.

• The bus comes three times a day 8:00am, 11:30am, and 5:30pm.

• The bus comes: three times a day 8:00am, 11:30am, and 5:30pm.

• The bus comes three times a day: 8:00am, 11:30am, and 5:30pm.

• The bus comes: three times a day: 800am, 1130am, and 530pm.

Given the example below, which choice best uses colons and semicolons correctly?

I have several favorite basketball players Devin Booker, Steph Curry, and Luka Donicic they were all in the NBA All-Star Game.

• I have several favorite basketball players; Devin Booker, Steph Curry, and Luka Donicic: they were all in the NBA All-Star Game.

• I have several favorite basketball: players Devin Booker, Steph Curry, and Luka Donicic they were all in the: NBA All-Star Game.

• I have several favorite; basketball players Devin Booker, Steph Curry, and Luka Donicic they; were all in the NBA All-Star Game.

• I have several favorite basketball players: Devin Booker, Steph Curry, and Luka Donicic; they were all in the NBA All-Star Game.