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WorksheetsSemicolons, Colons, Dashes
Total questions: 50
Worksheet time: 29mins
Fill in the blank with the correct punctuation:
We plan on arriving at school at 7 ___ 45 in the morning.
; (semicolon)
: (colon)
. (period)
- (hyphen)
Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.
I have one goal: to win the race.
I have one goal; to win the race.
I have one goal. To win the race.
What are the semicolons doing in this sentence?
”John likes all kinds of sandwiches: bacon, lettuce and tomato; peanut butter and jelly; ham, cheese, and turkey; and plenty more.”
They are uniting two closely connected clauses.
They are separating items in a complex list.
colon
:
comma
,
period
.
semicolon
;
This year, my goal is a simple one: never miss an assignment.
correct
incorrect
Without even looking at a menu, I could tell just by stepping out into the hallway what would be for lunch: fried chicken.
correct
incorrect
I couldn't wait to drive my dream car: my dad's 1984 Nissan Turbo 300ZX.
correct
incorrect
A dependent clause is a complete sentence.
True
False
Select the independent clause.
The fast horse.
The fast horse was quicker than the bunny.
Fuzzy bunnies on trees.
Quicker than the rest.
A colon separates an independent from a dependent clause.
True
False
What are the semicolons doing in this sentence?
”John likes all kinds of sandwiches: bacon, lettuce and tomato; peanut butter and jelly; ham, cheese, and turkey; and plenty more.”
They are uniting two closely connected clauses.
They are separating items in a complex list.
Which sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a list?
(Remember a colon comes after a complete sentence)
Don't go to: the haunted house or the corn maze.
Just stop: pinching, poking, and hitting me.
After school, my club is planning the following activities: roller skating, dinner, and a movie.
Which sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a list?
(Remember a colon comes after a complete sentence)
The camping trip was: hot, sticky, and gross.
You will need to bring the following items on the camping trip: tennis shoes, bug spray, and a hat.
I don't like to camp: because there are bugs, animals, and no air conditioning.
Semicolons can be used to connect:
Two dependent clauses
Two related independent clauses
One dependent clause and one independent clause
What should never follow a semicolon?
A conjunction (e.g., and, but, so, or, nor, etc.)
A transition
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
I love going to the beach; and collecting shells.
I love going to the beach and; collecting shells.
I love going to the beach; also, I love collecting shells.
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
Waffles are better than pancakes; they don't get soggy as quickly.
Waffles are better than pancakes; and they don't get soggy as quickly.
Waffles are better than pancakes because; they don't get soggy as quickly.
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
I am going home, moreover; I intend to stay there.
I am going home; moreover, I intend to stay there.
I am going home; moreover; I intend to stay there.
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
They couldn't make it back before dark; therefore, they decided to camp for the night.
Luckily; they had a tent and sleeping bags.
They looked up at the night sky; and enjoyed the stars.
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
We packed a lunch; hoping for good weather.
Looking at the clouds; we knew a storm was brewing.
It rained heavily during the afternoon; however, we managed to have our picnic.
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
I like cake; however, ice cream is my favorite dessert.
I like cake, however; ice cream is my favorite dessert.
I like cake; however; ice cream is my favorite dessert.
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
She studied; hard consequently she earned good grades.
She studied hard consequently; she earned good grades.
She studied hard; consequently, she earned good grades.
Why do semicolons matter?
They connect dependent clauses to independent clauses.
They improve your sentences and add variety.
They ask questions.
They show excitement.
Is the red portion of the text a complete or incomplete thought: After Mr. Filch fed his dog a treat, it wagged its tail happily.
Complete
Incomplete
Is the red portion of the text a complete or incomplete thought: Until I learn how to braid hair, Andy won't let me work at his barber shop.
Complete
Incomplete
Which punctuation should go between the red and blue text? The stamps in his stamp collection were of great quality _ they were also hard to find.
Colon
Semicolon
Which punctuation should go between the red and blue text? Some of the volunteers truly cared about the cause _ others were just hoping to impress their boss.
Colon
Semicolon
Which punctuation should go between the red and blue text? My plan was straightforward _ walk right up to Mickey Mouse and ask for his autograph.
Colon
Semicolon
Which punctuation should go between the red and blue text? We can go to the library to do our research _ Mondays are pretty quiet there.
Colon
Semicolon
Which punctuation should go between the red and blue text? When I graduate, I want to go to three places _ Rome, Israel, and Egypt.
Colon
Semicolon
How should this sentence be separated?
With a comma, semicolon, or a colon?
School will begin on Monday, March 1_ Monday, March 8_ and Monday, March 15.
comma
semicolon
colon
How should this sentence be separated?
With a comma, semicolon, or a colon?
I like to go to the park_ beach_ and hiking.
comma
semicolon
colon
How should this sentence be separated?
With a comma, semicolon, or a colon?
The sunset is red_ yellow_ and orange.
comma
semicolon
colon
How should this sentence be separated?
With a comma, semicolon, or a colon?
My father always told me this piece of advice_ "Forgive and forget."
comma
semicolon
colon
A(n) _____ is used to signal an interruption in dialogue AND used to emphasize breaks in thought & shifts in tone.
comma
dash
ellipsis
A(n) ______ is used to separate appositives that contain commas.
dash
comma
ellipsis
A(n) ____ is used to emphasize the separation of ideas or lists OR to explain, summarize, or illustrate a thought.
comma
ellipsis
dash
Which sentence uses DASHES correctly to explain a thought?
If you need something, call my assistant Catherine — not Margaret and she’ll help you.
If you need something, call my assistant—Catherine, not Margaret—and she’ll help you.
Which sentence uses DASHES correctly to separate commas?
All four of them—Bob — Jeffrey— Jason — Brett—did well in college.
All four — of them Bob, Jeffrey, Jason, and Brett—did well in college.
All four of them—Bob, Jeffrey, Jason, and Brett—did well in college.
Which sentence uses a DASH correctly to emphasize breaks in thought & shifts in tone?
I was glad to be home - until I saw the bill in the mailbox.
I was glad - to be home until I saw the bill in the mailbox.
I was glad to be home until I saw - the bill in the mailbox.
Which sentence uses dashes correctly?
Victoria bought her favorite- plant a cactus!
Victoria bought her favorite plant a- cactus
Victoria bought her favorite plant- a cactus
Identify the information that should be surrounded by dashes.
While I sat at my desk the thought racing through my mind I could not focus on the task at hand.
(a)
