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WorksheetsSemicolon Usage Quiz
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
What is the only purpose of the semicolon when it is used to fix a run-on sentence?
To introduce a very long quotation or a formal list.
To replace the comma before a FANBOYS conjunction.
To join two closely related independent, strong clauses.
To separate a dependent clause from the main, simple clause.
What must be true about the two complete ideas (independent clauses) when you join them with a semicolon?
They must have exactly the same subject or verb in the sentence.
They must be very short sentences (fewer than five total words).
They must be very closely and logically related in meaning.
They must be separated by a comma somewhere in the middle.
When a semicolon is used to fix a run-on, what punctuation mark should immediately follow the semicolon?
A comma (,)
A colon (:)
No punctuation mark at all
A period (.)
What is the correct capitalization rule for the word immediately following a semicolon?
It must be capitalized unless the clause is a long quotation.
It must be lowercase unless the word is a proper noun (name).
It is always capitalized, just like the start of a new sentence.
It can be capitalized or lowercase, depending on the writer's choice.
Which option below is the best example of a run-on that should be fixed with a semicolon?
My backpack is heavy, my books are wet from the rain.
The train left exactly on time, we arrived at the city early.
Because the store was closed, we went home instead.
She sings well, and she plays the guitar quite skillfully.
Run-on: 'The concert ended very late, everyone walked home in the dark soon after.' Choose the option that correctly fixes the run-on sentence using a semicolon.
The concert ended very late, and everyone walked home in the dark soon after.
The concert ended very late. Everyone walked home in the dark soon after.
The concert ended very late; everyone walked home in the dark soon after.
The concert ended very late, so everyone walked home in the dark soon after.
Run-on: 'The wind howled all night long the power finally failed at three AM.' Choose the option that correctly fixes the run-on sentence using a semicolon.
The wind howled all night long, so the power finally failed at three AM.
The wind howled all night long. The power finally failed at three AM.
The wind howled all night long, the power finally failed at three AM.
The wind howled all night long; the power finally failed at three AM.
Run-on: 'My father drives a big red truck, my mother drives a fast, small, blue sedan.' Choose the option that correctly fixes the run-on sentence using a semicolon.
My father drives a big red truck, and my mother drives a fast, small, blue sedan.
My father drives a big red truck, so my mother drives a fast, small, blue sedan.
My father drives a big red truck; my mother drives a fast, small, blue sedan.
My father drives a big red truck. My mother drives a fast, small, blue sedan.
Run-on: 'I finished all the complex math problems, I still had some trouble with the last two.' Choose the option that correctly fixes the run-on sentence using a semicolon.
I finished all the complex math problems, but I still had some trouble with the last two.
I finished all the complex math problems, so I still had some trouble with the last two.
I finished all the complex math problems; I still had some trouble with the last two.
I finished all the complex math problems. I still had some trouble with the last two.
Run-on: 'The lights suddenly went out, the house was completely silent for a few minutes.' Choose the option that correctly fixes the run-on sentence using a semicolon.
The lights suddenly went out, so the house was completely silent for a few minutes.
The lights suddenly went out. The house was completely silent for a few minutes.
The lights suddenly went out; the house was completely silent for a few minutes.
The lights suddenly went out, but the house was completely silent for a few minutes.
Run-on: 'The cake smelled delicious we cut a very large piece to share later.' Choose the option that correctly fixes the run-on sentence using a semicolon.
The cake smelled delicious, so we cut a very large piece to share later.
The cake smelled delicious. We cut a very large piece to share later.
The cake smelled delicious; we cut a very large piece to share later.
The cake smelled delicious, and we cut a very large piece to share later.
Run-on: 'We should leave for the busy store now the traffic gets really bad at five.' Choose the option that correctly fixes the run-on sentence using a semicolon.
We should leave for the busy store now, and the traffic gets really bad at five.
We should leave for the busy store now, so the traffic gets really bad at five.
We should leave for the busy store now; the traffic gets really bad at five.
We should leave for the busy store now, but the traffic gets really bad at five.
Run-on: 'The movie was extremely long I stayed awake the whole time somehow.' Choose the option that correctly fixes the run-on sentence using a semicolon.
The movie was extremely long, but I stayed awake the whole time somehow.
The movie was extremely long; I stayed awake the whole time somehow.
The movie was extremely long. I stayed awake the whole time somehow.
The movie was extremely long, for I stayed awake the whole time somehow.
Run-on: 'The essay is due this Friday I have finished only two paragraphs total.' Choose the option that correctly fixes the run-on sentence using a semicolon.
The essay is due this Friday, but I have finished only two paragraphs total.
The essay is due this Friday; I have finished only two paragraphs total.
The essay is due this Friday, so I have finished only two paragraphs total.
The essay is due this Friday. I have finished only two paragraphs total.
Run-on: 'The book was quite long, the pages were very thin and easily damaged.' Choose the option that correctly fixes the run-on sentence using a semicolon.
The book was quite long, so the pages were very thin and easily damaged.
The book was quite long; the pages were very thin and easily damaged.
The book was quite long. The pages were very thin and easily damaged.
The book was quite long, and the pages were very thin and easily damaged.
Which option incorrectly uses a semicolon to fix the run-on sentence?
My dog ran away; he came back to the yard two hours later.
We were cold and tired; we went inside and made hot chocolate.
She loves to play piano; but she also enjoys playing the guitar.
The movie was excellent; the critics loved the new plot twist.
A semicolon is essentially stronger than which punctuation mark, making it effective for fixing run-ons?
The colon (:)
The comma (,)
The period (.)
The question mark (?)
If the relationship between the two clauses is not close, what is the best alternative to the semicolon?
Use a strong comma and a FANBOYS conjunction (like and).
Separate the clauses completely with a period and capitalization.
Use a dash (—) to show the abrupt change of subject matter.
Use only a comma to separate the two independent clauses.
Which rule would be violated if you wrote: 'The concert ended late; Everyone went home right away.'?
The rule requiring a coordinating conjunction between the ideas.
The rule stating both clauses must be exactly the same length.
The rule about having a comma before a conjunctive adverb.
The rule about capitalization after the semicolon (should be everyone).
Which sentence below is correctly punctuated using the semicolon?
I went shopping, I found a great pair of shoes.
I went shopping; I found a great pair of shoes.
I went shopping; and I found a great pair of shoes.
I went shopping; I found a great pair of shoes. I came home.
