Semicolon Rules

Which punctuation mark do I use between independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb?

• Semicolon

• Colon

• Comma

• None of the Above

Which punctuation mark do I use between independent clauses joined by a transitional expression?

• Semicolon

• Colon

• Comma

• None of the Above

Which punctuation mark do I use between independent clauses closely related in meaning if they are NOT joined by a conjunction? 

• Semicolon

• Colon

• Comma

• No punctuation

Which of the following lists is correct?

• I invited Beth, my roommate; Jessi, my friend; and Katie, my mom.

• I invied Beth; my roommate; Jessi; my friend; and Katie; my mom.

• I invited Beth, my roommate, Jessi, my friend, and Katie, my mom. 

• I invited Beth, my roommate: Jessi, my friend: and Katie, my mom.

A semicolon can be used to ​ (a)  

• join two complete sentences.

• to join two dependent clauses.

• as a pause.

• join two dependent clauses.

• let the reader pause in a long sentence

• join sentences with FANBOYS.

• let the reader pause in a long sentence.

It is okay to use a semicolon before a conjunction if the clauses contain many commas.
(Alana, Eric, and Kim voted for her; and Scott, Roland, and Vanessa voted for Jason.)

• True

• False

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.

• The people on the new committee went down to the coffee shop for a short spirited discussion of next week's agenda; they then went back to the office.

• The people on the new committee went down to the coffee shop; for a short spirited discussion of next week's agenda: they then went back to the office.

• The people on the new committee went down to the coffee shop for a short spirited discussion; of next week's agenda; they then went back to the office.

You should use a semicolon to combine sentences when

• you have the same topic and you are comparing or contrasting or showing them in different light

• elaborating the idea

• changing the topic

• need a longer sentence

Which punctuation mark is used to separate items in a list when the items themselves contain commas?

• Semicolon

• Colon

• Comma

• Dash