Semicolons/Colons

Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• The artwork has her favorite colors; blue, purple, and green.

• The artwork has her favorite colors: blue, purple, and green.

• The artwork has her favorite colors. Blue, purple, and green.

Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• John F. Kennedy said it best. “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”

• John F. Kennedy said it best; “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”

• John F. Kennedy said it best: “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”

A semicolon functions differently than a period because it _______________.

• separates the subject and the verb

• joins two closely related sentences

• introduces a quote

Choose the correct sentence or sentences. 

• Frank loves: hamburgers, fries, and shakes.
• Frank loves hamburgers, fries, and shakes. 

Choose the correct sentence.

• Dracula knocked several times no one came to the door. 
• Dracula knocked several times no one came; to the door. 
• Dracula knocked several times; no one came to the door.

Which sentence is correct?

• It was a very hot day; I had to use a fan to keep cool.

• It was a very hot day, I had to use a fan to keep cool.

• It was a very hot day; using a fan to keep cool.

• It was a very hot day; so I had to use a fan to keep cool.

Which sentence is correct?

• My friend was feeling sick; I walked her to the nurse’s office.

• My friend was feeling sick; so I walked her to the nurse’s office.

• My friend was feeling sick, I walked her to the nurse’s office.

• My friend was feeling sick; and I walked her to the nurse’s office.

Change this sentence to correctly use a semicolon:
The library board met on Thursday, and it was an emergency meeting.

• The library board met on Thursday; and it was an emergency meeting.
• The library board met on Thursday; it was an emergency meeting.
• The library board met; on Thursday, and it was an emergency meeting.

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• Please give me some time I do not want to be rushed.
• Please give me some time; I do not want to be rushed.
• Please give me some time, I do not want to be rushed.

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• On our last trip we stayed in: Nashville, Tennessee, Atlanta, Georgia, and Orlando, Florida.
• On our last trip we stayed in Nashville, Tennessee, Atlanta, Georgia, and Orlando, Florida.
• On our last trip we stayed in Nashville, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; and Orlando, Florida.