Colons and Semi Colons



: and ; (Colons and Semi Colons)

Semicolon:

Used to separate independent clauses that have a close relationship to each other and that don’t already have a conjunction.

Incorrect: My sister is a great artist; that random stranger is looking at me.

Correct: My sister is a great artist; I can barely draw a straight line.

Incorrect: Sue loves animals; I just bought a new garage door opener.

Correct: Sue loves animals; however, she eats hamburgers.

Used to avoid confusion if a list has items with commas.

Example: I ran a marathon, which was exhausting; went shopping, which was fun; and ate dinner with my old smelly aunt, which was boring.

Colon:

Used before a list of items following an independent clause.

Example: I went to the store for the following items: milk, toothbrush, bread, and Lysol.

Colons NEVER EVER EVER EVER come after a verb!

Incorrect: I need: chips, dip, and sodas.

Correct: I need the following: chips, dip, and sodas.

Used in subtitles of books and movies.

Example: Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

Used to tell time.

Example: 5:08

4:47

A. Add the correct punctuation to the sentences.

1. Allen, fold the laundry Jenny, clean up the yard Joan, take the dog for a walk.

2. New animals in the collection include a cheetah, an okapi, and a harpy eagle from Africa a tiger, two peacocks, and a rhinoceros from India a snow leopard from Tibet and two caribou, a Kodiak bear, and an arctic fox from Alaska.

3. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Oakland, California Dallas and Houston, Texas and New York and Buffalo, New York, have professional teams.

4. It was a clear day moreover, it was a perfect day for swimming.

5. Jon prepared dinner Brian set the table.

6. Grinning broadly, Lee crossed the finish line ten feet ahead of the others however, the grin faded when the judges told her she had been disqualified.

7. Bring three things to class tomorrow your textbook, paper, and a blue or black pen.

8. You will need to meet me between 8 30 and 8 45 A. M.

9. Yesterday was a cold autumn day however, it was quite sunny.

10. Mom’s plane arrives at 6 55 P.M. Dad’s will land at 7 15 P.M.

11. Jim studied hard for the test yet he thought it was one of the hardest ones he’d ever taken.

12. I know that there is not much time nevertheless, the work must be finished by 5 30 P.M.

13. I have a lot to do tonight make dinner, baby sit my little brother, finish my homework, and clean my room.

14. Please stop at the store and bring these items home a gallon of milk, a can of tomatoes, and a box of crackers.

15. Tracy was reading a mystery Sandy was talking on the phone.

16. The Pep Club will handle ticket sales the cheerleaders will help with parking.

17. Our bus leaves at 7 15 A.M. my sister’s bus doesn’t leave until 7 45 A.M.

18. The snow was blinding however, the school bus arrived on time at 7 25.

19. The running back made a spectacular drive to the goal, a 47-yard run the defense, which couldn’t get organized, was stunned.

20. Bring these items to sewing class on Tuesday tracing paper, your pattern, thread, and pins.

21. Kent broke his leg therefore he had to learn to use crutches.

22. The junk shop was filled with old, broken-down chairs rickety, wobbly tables, and dozens of useless items.

23. The fog is really bad all flights to and from the airport have been cancelled.

24. Her wallet contained the following items ten dollars, two credit cards, a driver’s license, a Social Security card, and several pictures.

25. The beaches are closed temporarily the pollution level of the water is too high.

B. Write 5 sentences using semicolons and five using colons. You will have ten sentences.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

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