208B - 3.01 Semi-Colon Practice

What is an independent clause?

• A group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought (not a complete sentence).

• A group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought (a complete sentence).

• A group of two or more words.

Which part of this sentence is a dependent clause?

⭐While I love to play basketball, my friend Ella likes soccer best.⭐

**🔥NOTE: A phrase is a small group of words that can act as a part of speech but does not have a subject and verb—a dependent clause is not a fully complete sentence but does contain a subject and verb.

• While I love to play basketball,

• play basketball

• my friend Ella likes soccer best.

• my friend Ella

Which part of this sentence is a phrase?

⭐I love to play basketball, instead of soccer.⭐

**🔥NOTE: A phrase is a small group of words that can act as a part of speech but does not have a subject and verb—a dependent clause is not a fully complete sentence but does contain a subject and verb.

• I love to play basketball,

• I love to play

• instead of soccer

• I love to play basketball, instead of soccer.

What is the primary function of a comma?

• To emphasize a word in a sentence.
• To indicate a question in a sentence.
• To indicate a pause or separate elements in a sentence.
• To replace periods in a sentence.

What is the primary function of a semicolon in a sentence?

• To separate items in a list

• To link two independent clauses that are closely related

• To introduce a list

• To end a sentence

How are commas used differently from semicolons?

• Commas are used only for pauses, while semicolons are used for lists.
• Commas connect independent clauses, and semicolons are used for pauses.
• Commas are used for direct speech, while semicolons separate unrelated sentences.
• Commas are used for lists and pauses, while semicolons connect related independent clauses.

How are commas and semicolons used differently with lists?

• Commas separate items in simple lists; semicolons separate items in complex lists.
• Commas separate clauses; semicolons separate sentences.
• Commas are used only in formal writing; semicolons are used in casual writing.
• Commas are used for complex lists; semicolons are used for simple lists.

When should a semicolon be used instead of a comma?

• When separating items in a simple list

• When linking two independent clauses without a conjunction

• When introducing a quote

• When ending a sentence

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon?

• I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.

• I have a big test tomorrow, I can't go out tonight.

• I have a big test tomorrow; and I can't go out tonight.

• I have a big test tomorrow: I can't go out tonight.

Identify the sentence that demonstrates correct semicolon usage.

• She loves reading; however, she doesn't have much time for it.

• She loves reading, however; she doesn't have much time for it.

• She loves reading; however she doesn't have much time for it.

• She loves reading however; she doesn't have much time for it.