Colons & Semicolons

In which sentence is a colon used correctly?

• I understand why people love: waterskiing.

• I don’t like boats: they make me very seasick.

• Alyshia: she loves her puppy more than she loves her fish.

• Love is what makes: the world go round.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

What is the purpose of the colon in the sentence below?

I looked up and saw the last thing I was expecting: the frog prince.

• It links two independent clauses.

• It draws your attention to the clause “I looked up and saw the last thing I was expecting.”

• It draws your attention to the phrase “the frog prince.”

• It shows a lot of emotion.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

In the following sentence, where should a colon be added?

Lucija planned to grow several herbs in her garden basil, rosemary and thyme.

• after “grow”

• after “planned”

• after “garden”

• after “rosemary”

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

In which sentence is a semicolon used correctly to join two related clauses?

• My sister and I agree on many points but disagree on one; the existence of ghosts.

• I saw a ghost at my cousin’s house; and I screamed and ran away.

• Ghosts are definitely fake; I only like dramatic movies.

• I’m convinced that ghosts are real; I saw a ghost in the attic yesterday.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Read the following passage.

Red pandas are much smaller than giant pandas. They only grow to be about the size of cats. Red pandas live in forests and spend most of their time in trees. Their diet is very simple. They mainly eat bamboo. However, they sometimes also eat fruit, insects, small birds and mammals. They are an endangered species.

Which sentences from the passage would best be linked with a semicolon?

• They only grow to be about the size of cats. Red pandas live in forests and spend most of their time in trees.

• Red pandas are much smaller than giant pandas. They only grow to be about the size of cats.

• Red pandas live in forests and spend most of their time in trees. Their diet is very simple.

• However, they sometimes also eat fruit, insects, small birds and mammals. They are an endangered species.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

In which sentence is a semicolon used correctly?

• Anthony took a trip to Boise, Idaho; Seattle, Washington; and Portland, Oregon.

• My favorite flavors of ice cream are chocolate; double chocolate; and mint chocolate chip.

• Some of the properties used to describe minerals include color; luster; hardness; and streak.

• The computer was first invented in the 1940s; but the first laptop was not invented until the 80s.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Correctly punctuate the sentence below using a colon (A) or a semicolon (B).

Gustavo won the greatest prize at the carnival a giant stuffed hotdog.

• :

• ;

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

In which sentence is a colon used correctly?

• Marisa: won several awards for her short stories last year.

• Have you ever seen a: horse in the wild?

• It hardly ever snows: in California, but it’s a beautiful place to live.

• Devon admires his uncle for two reasons: he’s great at rollerblading and building treehouses.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

In which sentence is a colon used correctly?

• Despite her father’s warnings: Talisah walked through the woods and touched poison ivy.

• Wearing long sleeves and tucking your pants into your socks: protects against poison ivy.

• You may recognize the common name of the plant Toxicodendron radicans: poison ivy.

• Talisah’s rash from the poison ivy: looked very uncomfortable.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B

In which sentence is a semicolon used correctly?

• The zoo is home to bearded dragons; geckos; and caiman lizards.

• There are many different lizards at the zoo; red-headed agamas, bearded dragons, Gila Monsters and skinks.

• Many people love going to see lizards at the zoo; but it’s not my cup of tea.

• The zoo has a large collection of red-headed agama lizards; it recently got two caiman lizards, too.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A