Use Semicolons to Separate Items in a Series or List When at Least One of the Items Already Contains Commas

Select the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.

• He's taking algebra, which he's good at, biology, his least favorite subject, and drama, for fun.

• He's taking algebra, which he's good at; biology, his least favorite subject; and drama, for fun.

• He's taking algebra; which he's good at; biology; his least favorite subject; and drama; for fun.

• He's taking algebra; which he's good at, biology; his least favorite subject, and drama; for fun.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Select the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.

• On the table were three piles: meat, chicken, and fish; rice, bread, and pasta; and spinach, broccoli, and kale.

• On the table were three piles; meat, chicken and fish; rice, bread, and pasta; and spinach, broccoli, and kale.

• On the table were three piles: meat, chicken and fish, rice, bread, and pasta, and spinach, broccoli, and kale.

• On the table were three piles: meat; chicken; and fish; rice; bread; and pasta; and spinach; broccoli; and kale.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

One of the semicolon's grammatical functions is to:

• Highlight important parts of a sentence

• Group together items of exactly the same meaning

• Separate items in a list that already have commas

• Emphasize differences in a sentence

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Which is the better sentence?

• I took two months off to go to Paris, France, Crete, Greece, Istanbul, Turkey, and London, England. 
• I took two months off to go to Paris, France; Crete, Greece; Istanbul, Turkey; and London, England.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• I have been to: Seattle, WA, Lansing, MI, Kissimmee, FL and Nashville, TN.

• I have been to Seattle, WA, Lansing, MI, Kissimmee, FL and Nashville, TN.

• I have been to Seattle WA Lansing MI Kissimmee FL and Nashville TN.

• I have been to Seattle, WA; Lansing, MI; Kissimmee, FL; and Nashville, TN.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Semicolons are used

• whenever you want

• In a list with commas included already.

• in a sentence with no commas

• All of the above.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Which sentence is correct?

• Three men were on the boat: John, the butcher; Simon, the baker; and Toby, the candlestick maker.

• Three men were on the boat John, the butcher, Simon, the baker, and Toby, the candlestick maker.

• Three men were on the boat John; the butcher, Simon; the baker, and; Toby the candlestick maker.

• Three men were on the boat John the butcher, Simon the baker, and Toby the candlestick maker.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2B