Friday Bellwork T3 W3

Correct this sentence: This organization has chapters in Wilmington​ (a)   Delaware​ (b)   Hanover​ (c)   New Hampshire​ (d)   and New York, New York.

• ,
• ;

Answer explanation

When listing items in a series that have internal punctuation, such as the commas between each city and its respective state as in this example, separate the items using semicolons.

Tags

semicolon

Do you need to fix this sentence? If so, pick the correct answer choice. If it does NOT need to be fixed pick "no error".

She was not prepared for an overnight stay, that is; she had not brought a change of clothes.

• 1. She was not prepared for an overnight stay; that is, she had not brought a change of clothes.

• 1. She was not prepared for an overnight stay: that is; she had not brought a change of clothes.

• 1. She was not prepared for an overnight stay, that is she had not brought a change of clothes.

• 1. No error

Answer explanation

A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses in one sentence. It is also used before introductory words like “that is,” “namely,” “for example,” etc. that introduce a complete sentence/independent clause, with a comma following the introductory word/phrase.

Tags

semicolon

Do you need to fix this sentence? If so, pick the correct answer choice. If it does NOT need to be fixed pick "no error".

Check back with me next week; I will have a better idea of the schedule by then.

• 1. Check back with me next week, I will have a better idea of the schedule by then.

• 1. Check back with me next week I will have a better idea of the schedule by then.

• 1. Check back with me; next week I will have a better idea of the schedule by then.

• 1. No error

Answer explanation

This sentence is correctly punctuated. The semicolon separates two independent clauses in the absence of a conjunction (e.g., “and”). Using a comma (A) is an error called a comma splice.

Tags

semicolon

Do you need to fix this sentence? If so, pick the correct answer choice. If it does NOT need to be fixed pick "no error".

Some famous trios include Athos, Porthos, and Aramis; Huey, Dewey, and Louie; and Moe, Larry, and Curly.

• 1. Athos; Porthos; and Aramis, Huey; Dewey; and Louie, and Moe; Larry; and Curly.

• 1. Athos Porthos and Aramis, Huey Dewey and Louie, and Moe Larry and Curly.

• 1. Athos, Porthos and Aramis, Huey, Dewey and Louie, and Moe, Larry and Curly.

• 1. No error

Answer explanation

This is punctuated correctly. When listing a series of groups with internal commas, separate each group with a semicolon. Semicolons are not used between single members of the same series or group (A), and each group should not be separated by a comma.

Tags

semicolon

Do you need to fix this sentence? If so, pick the correct answer choice. If it does NOT need to be fixed pick "no error".

I am unable to attend, however my representative will attend in my place.

• 1. I am unable to attend, however, my representative will attend in my place.

• 1. I am unable to attend; however, my representative will attend in my place.

• 1. I am unable to attend however my representative will attend in my place.

• 1. No error

Answer explanation

The semicolon is correct because it separates two independent clauses; i.e., each clause could stand alone as a complete sentence. The example would only be correct if a dependent clause or phrase followed “however,” as in “I am unable to attend, however hard I try.” No internal punctuation (C) creates the error known as a run-on sentence.

Tags

semicolon

Do you need to fix this sentence? If so, pick the correct answer choice. If it does NOT need to be fixed pick "no error".

She knew her way around the building, she had been there before.

• 1. She knew; her way around the building, she had been there before.

• 1. She knew her way; around the building, she had been there before.

• 1. She knew her way around the building; she had been there before.

• 1. No error

Answer explanation

This sentence is made up of two independent clauses. Each clause would make a complete sentence by itself. There is no coordinating conjunction, like “because,” “since,” “for,” etc. Therefore there must be a semicolon.

Tags

semicolon