Mastering the Semicolon: Best Practices and Usage

What does the semicolon look like?

• A dash crossed with a comma

• A colon crossed with a period

• A period crossed with a dash

• A comma crossed with a period

Why is the semicolon useful?

• It fills the spaces in between a comma and a period

• It is stronger than a period

• It is less final than a comma

• It is used to end sentences

How does a semicolon help in list-like sentences?

• By adding more commas

• By cutting sentences into compartments

• By removing commas

• By adding periods

What is one of the tasks of a semicolon?

• To replace commas

• To link together dependent clauses

• To replace periods

• To link together independent clauses

What happens when semicolons connect related clauses?

• They separate unrelated ideas

• They make the writing confusing

• They bring fluidity and variation

• They make the writing monotonous

When should semicolons be used to connect clauses?

• To end a sentence

• When the clauses are related in some way

• When the clauses are unrelated

• Before coordinating conjunctions

Which of the following is NOT a coordinating conjunction?

• However

• And

• But

• For

What is the role of a semicolon in writing?

• To give writing clarity, force, and style

• To confuse the reader

• To end every sentence

• To replace all commas

What should you avoid when using semicolons?

• Using them in lists

• Using them before coordinating conjunctions

• Using them to connect related clauses

• Using them to add variety

What can a semicolon replace to shorten a sentence?

• A colon

• A period

• A conjunction

• A comma