Commas, Semicolon, and Colon

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• Denise prefers to eat chicken or fish; I’m a vegetarian.

• Denise prefers to eat chicken or fish: I’m a vegetarian.

• Denise prefers to eat chicken or fish, I’m a vegetarian.

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• The centerpieces had her favorite flowers. Roses, carnations, and daisies.

• The centerpieces had her favorite flowers; roses, carnations, and daisies.

• The centerpieces had her favorite flowers: roses, carnations, and daisies.

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• Please give me some time I do not want to be rushed.

• Please give me some time; I do not want to be rushed.

• Please give me some time, I do not want to be rushed.

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• I would like to leave early in the morning, therefore: I am going to bed soon.

• I would like to: leave early in the morning; therefore, I am going to bed soon.

• I would like to leave early in the morning; therefore, I am going to bed soon.

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• On our last trip we stayed in: Nashville, Tennessee, Atlanta, Georgia, and Orlando, Florida.

• On our last trip we stayed in Nashville, Tennessee, Atlanta, Georgia, and Orlando, Florida.

• On our last trip we stayed in Nashville, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; and Orlando, Florida.

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• The girls on the team will have quite a few expenses: uniforms, shoes, equipment, and camp fees.

• The girls on the team will have quite a few expenses: uniforms; shoes; equipment; and camp fees.

• The girls on the team will have quite a few expenses, uniforms; shoes; equipment; and camp fees.

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• Roberto can’t decide among three careers: dentist, veterinarian, or physical therapist.

• Roberto can’t decide among three careers: dentist; veterinarian; or physical therapist.

• Roberto can’t decide among three careers; dentist, veterinarian, or physical therapist.

For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

• The people on the new committee went down to the coffee shop for a short spirited discussion of next week's agenda; they then went back to the office.

• The people on the new committee went down to the coffee shop; for a short spirited discussion of next week's agenda: they then went back to the office.

• The people on the new committee went down to the coffee shop for a short spirited discussion; of next week's agenda; they then went back to the office.

Where should the comma(s) go?
When Alfred finally realized the gravity of the situation it was much too late.

• after "Alfred"
• after "gravity"
• after "situation"
• no comma necessary

Where should the comma(s) go?
The giant sequoia trees have been growing for hundreds of years but they have not  been cut down because the national park system protects them.  

• after "years"
• after "years" AND after "down"
• after "down"
• no comma necessary