Semicolon and Colon Use Practice
Semicolon and Colon Use Practice
A. Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are not joined by such words as and, but, or, nor, for, yet, or so.
Exercise 1: If the sentence is correct, write a “C” after the sentence. If the sentence is incorrect, place a semicolon in the proper place – make sure that it is clear where exactly you have placed the semicolon
1. The alligator was crawling through the bushes, but Joe Bob wasn’t scared.
2. Give your hats to Alice give your mittens to Ben.
3. The soup tasted like stale pretzels, the people did not like it much at all.
4. If at first you don’t succeed, give up wasting everybody’s time and quit.
5. Gratitude is a quality that leads to success ingratitude leads to failure.
Exercise 2: Create three sentences of your own which have a semicolon between independent clauses not joined by a conjunction.
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B. Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by such words as for example, for instance, that is, besides, accordingly, moreover, nevertheless, furthermore, otherwise, therefore, however, consequently, instead, or hence.
Exercise 1: Put a semicolon in the proper place (even if it is replacing punctuation that is already present).
9. I realize that you were very hungry, however, you had no right to eat the cookies.
10. You put a lot of garlic in the spaghetti instead, use some oregano.
11. Brushing your teeth helps you avoid cavities for instance, Fred hasn’t had a single one.
12. I can throw a ball well enough otherwise, I am a horrible player.
Exercise 2: Create three sentences in which a semicolon is placed between two independent clauses joined by the above words or phrases.
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C. Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas. You may need to replace given punctuation with a semicolon.
Exercise 1: One semicolon is missing from its proper place in the sentence. Add a semicolon where it is needed.
16. She revised her report three times: first, for content; second, for organization third, for style; and fourth, for spelling errors.
17. The contestants at the pie-eating contest were: Larry, the guy from the butcher’s shop, Darryl, the man that hangs around the library; Mary, the lady with all of the cats; and Matilda, the magician’s niece.
18. Members of the Beatles were as follows: Ringo, the drummer and backup singer, Paul, the guitar player and song-writer; John, another guitar player and song-writer; and George, the bass player and backup singer.
Exercise 2: Create two sentences that have semicolons between items in a series which contain commas.
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D. Use a colon before a list of items, especially after expressions like as follows and the following. Also, use a colon between independent clauses when the second clause explains or restates the idea of the first.
Exercise 1: Place a colon in the proper place in the sentence.
21. The items needed for the sale are as follows a plastic pillow, a block of cheese, and a wombat.
22. The following are mandatory a strong work ethic, an independent mind, an ability to get along with others, and a gym membership.
23. Those hanging lamps are the most popular kind they are inexpensive, come in many colors, and are easy to install.
Exercise 2. Create two sentences: one in which a list of items is preceded by a colon, and one in which the second independent clause explains or restates the first.
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Look over the rules for apostrophes and then do the following. If the possessive case for each item in the list had been correctly formed, write C on the blank line after the proper number. If it has been incorrectly formed, write the correct form on the blank line.
26. a street of lawyer’s offices (lawyers is plural) ____________________
27. that nation’s debts ____________________
28. women’s objections ____________________
29. found it’s way home ____________________
30. travelers’ briefcases (travelers is plural) ____________________
31. soldiers knapsacks (soldiers is plural) ____________________
32. did its best ____________________
33. babie’s toys ____________________
34. the poets’ works (poets is singular) ____________________
35. on a minutes notice ____________________
36. How many is are there in Mississippi? ____________________
37. childrens magazine ____________________
38. office of the principal ____________________
39. Commander-in-Chiefs army ____________________
40. Dotty and my report ____________________
Write a sentence using the possessive case showing that two people own one item (they share it)
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Write a sentence using a personal pronoun in the possessive case.
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Write a sentence showing a singular noun in the possessive case.
43.
Write a sentence that shows the possessive case of a singular noun that ends with the letter s.
44.
Write a sentence which shows the possessive case of a plural noun that does not end with the letter s.
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