Mastering Semicolons and Commas

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a comma in an introductory element?

• Running late, she decided to skip breakfast.

• She decided to skip breakfast, running late.

• She, decided to skip breakfast running late.

• Running late she decided, to skip breakfast.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon.

• She loves cooking; her brother loves baking.

• She loves cooking, her brother loves baking.

• She loves cooking her brother loves baking.

• She loves cooking; her brother, loves baking.

Identify the sentence that correctly avoids a comma splice. (A comma splice uses a comma to link two independent clauses (which should instead be linked by a colon, semicolon, or conjunction), Ex: He loves cooking, he's great at making cookies.)

• She writes every day, she doesn't enjoy editing.

• She writes every day; she doesn't enjoy editing.

• She writes every day, she doesn't, enjoy editing.

• She writes every day she doesn't enjoy editing.

Which of the following sentences correctly uses commas in introductory elements?

• After the show, we went to a cafe.

• We went to a cafe, after the show.

• After the show we went, to a cafe.

• After, the show we went to a cafe.

Which sentence avoids a comma splice?

• It was raining, we canceled the picnic.

• It was raining; we canceled the picnic.

• It was raining we canceled, the picnic.

• It was raining, we canceled, the picnic.

Choose the sentence that correctly applies a comma in an introductory element.

• Before eating, the family said grace.

• The family said grace, before eating.

• Before eating the family, said grace.

• Before, eating the family said grace.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon.

• The night was cold; we lit a fire.

• The night was cold, we lit a fire.

• The night was cold we lit a fire.

• The night, was cold; we lit a fire.

Which of the following sentences avoids a comma splice?

• The concert was canceled, we were so disappointed.

• The concert was canceled; we were so disappointed.

• The concert was canceled we were, so disappointed.

• The concert, was canceled we were so disappointed.

Select the sentence that correctly uses commas in introductory elements.

• Despite the rain, we enjoyed the festival.

• We enjoyed the festival, despite the rain.

• Despite the rain we enjoyed, the festival.

• Despite, the rain we enjoyed the festival.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon.

• He is afraid of heights; however, he loves flying.

• He is afraid of heights, however, he loves flying.

• He is afraid of heights however, he loves flying.

• He is, afraid of heights; however, he loves flying.