Commas, Colons, and Semicolons 1

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.

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.