Semicolons/Colons/Dashes

Which is the correct use of a semicolon?

• I went to the grocery store today; I bought a ton of fruit; apples, grapes, and pears were all on sale.

• I went to the grocery store today; I bought a ton of fruit. Apples, grapes, and pears were all on sale.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Colon or semicolon?

• My dog is fat; he eats too much food.

• My dog is fat: he eats too much food.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Semicolon or colon?

• Life is like a puzzle: half the fun is trying to work it out.

• Life is like a puzzle; half the fun is trying to work it out.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Colon or no colon?

• My favorite cake is made of: carrots, flour, butter, eggs, and cream cheese icing.

• My favorite cake is made of carrots, flour, butter, eggs, and cream cheese icing.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

Colon or no colon?

• There are many different types of paper, including: college ruled, wide ruled, and plain copy paper.

• There are many different types of paper including college ruled, wide ruled, and plain copy paper.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

Dash, colon, or semicolon?

• After 80 years of dreaming, the elderly man realized it was time to finally revisit the land of his youth — Ireland.

• After eighty years of dreaming, the elderly man realized it was time to finally revisit the land of his youth: Ireland.

• After eighty years of dreaming, the elderly man realized it was time to finally revisit the land of his youth; Ireland.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.8.2A

semicolon or no?

• I bought shiny, ripe apples, small, sweet, juicy grapes, and firm pears.

• I bought shiny, ripe apples; small, sweet, juicy grapes; and firm pears.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Colon or semicolon?

• Shakespeare said it best: "To thine own self be true."

• Shakespeare said it best; "To thine own self be true."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

Colon or semi-colon?

• I have a few favorite classes at school: English, psychology, and art.

• I have a few favorite classes at school; English, psychology, and art.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

Which punctuation would NOT work?

• Jim is afraid of two things—lightning and public speaking.

• Jim is afraid of two things: lightning and public speaking.

• Jim is afraid of two things; lightning and public speaking.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A