Semicolon Practice

Independent clauses:

• Are clauses that make sense when they stand alone

• Tell us more about other parts of the sentence

• Rely on semicolons to make sense

• Should never be separated by semicolons

Does this sentence correctly use a semicolon: Michelle drives a Jaguar; Sonya drives a Porsche.

• yes

• no

Semicolons should never be placed before:

• Words beginning with a capital

• Coordinating conjunctions

• Verbs

• Adjectives

Which of the following is a grammatical function of a semicolon?

• Highlight important parts of a sentence

• Group together clauses of the same meaning

• Separate items in a list

• Emphasize differences in a sentence

A semicolon has the same function as a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) and a comma in a compound sentence.

• true

• false

Which sentence below correctly uses a semicolon?

• She moved to Ireland; she preferred the tranquil setting; over America.

• She moved to Ireland; she preferred the tranquil setting over America.

• She moved to Ireland she preferred; the tranquil setting over America.

• She moved to Ireland; and she preferred the tranquil setting over America.

Which of the following is a grammatical function of a semicolon?

• Link related clauses in a sentence

• Break apart descriptive phrases

• Separate unimportant facts from important ones

• Improve the grade in my writing

Does this sentence correctly use a semicolon: He wanted to see three cities in Italy; Rome, Florence, and Venice

• yes

• no

Choose the statement that is true:

• Semicolons can replace all periods and commas

• Semicolons can add clarity and interest to sentence

Which sentence below uses a semicolon correctly?

• Dad is going bald; his hair is getting thinner; and thinner.

• Dad; is going bald his hair is; getting thinner and thinner.

• Dad is going bald his hair is getting thinner and thinner;

• Dad is going bald; his hair is getting thinner and thinner.