Using Semicolons and Colons

In which sentence is a semicolon used correctly?

• Anthony took a trip to Boise, Idaho; Seattle, Washington; and Portland, Oregon.

• My favorite flavors of ice cream are chocolate; double chocolate; and mint chocolate chip.

• Some of the properties used to describe minerals include color; luster; hardness; and streak.

• The computer was first invented in the 1940s; but the first laptop was not invented until the 80s.

Which sentence is written correctly?

• Night fell: the moon rose.

• Night fell; the moon rose.

• Night: fell the moon rose.

• Night fell the moon rose.

The artist preferred to paint in oils he did not like watercolors.

• The artist preferred to paint in oils he did not like watercolors.

• The artist preferred to paint in oils: he did not like watercolors.

• The artist preferred to paint in oils, he did not like watercolors.

• The artist preferred to paint in oils; he did not like watercolors.

In which sentence is a semicolon used correctly to join two related clauses?

• My sister and I agree on many subjects but disagree on one; the existence of ghosts.

• I saw a ghost at my cousin's house; and I screamed and ran away.

• Ghost are definitely fake; I only like dramatic movies.

• I'm convinced that ghosts are real; I saw a ghost in the attic yesterday.

Correctly punctuate the sentence below using a colon (A) or a semicolon (B).

Gustavo won the greatest prize at the carnival a giant stuffed hotdog.

• : (colon)

• ; (semicolon)

In the following sentence, where should a semicolon be added?

• Animals; are consumers they do not make their own food.

• Animals are consumers; they do not make their own food.

• Animals are consumers they; do not make their own food.

• Animals are consumers they do not make their own; food.

Correctly punctuate the sentence below with a colon (A) or a semicolon (B). At the peace conference, the British received Canada from France __ they also received Florida from Spain.

• : (colon)

• ; (semicolon)

Correctly punctuate the sentence below with a colon (A) or a semicolon (B).

Maps have many features __ scales, legends, and symbols.

• : (colon)

• ; (semocolon)

Which sentences from the passage would BEST be linked with a semicolon?

• There are two written forms of the language; typical Norwegian food includes smoked fish, a yellow cheese called Jarlsberg and a soft flatbread called lefse.

• Typical Norwegian food includes smoked fish, a yellow cheese called Jarlsberg and a soft flatbread called lefse; the government of Norway is a constitutional monarchy.

• The government of Norway is a constitutional monarchy; this means that the country has both a king and a group called a parliament that makes the laws.

• This means that the country has both a king and a group called a parliament that makes the laws; I'd love to visit Norway one day.

Which sentences from the passage would best be linked with a semicolon?

• Nervously, Delia stared at the bright red door; she hadn't turned this doorknob in many years.

• She hadn't turned this doorknob in many years; the wind tickled her closely-shaven head.

• She no longer had long brown locks to dance in the breeze; Della heard Pluto barking inside.

• Delia heard Pluto barking inside; she adjusted the bag on her shoulder and reached for the knob.