Punctuation Takes a Vacation

Which sentence does NOT use a colon correctly?

• The summer camp offers these water activities: swimming, boating, waterskiing, and parasailing.

• Many scientists’ predictions of climate change include: warmer temperatures, rising sea levels, and more frequent storms.

• To get more vitamin C, try these kinds of fruit: oranges, papayas, and berries.

Which sentence does NOT use a colon correctly?

• Snoopy, the dog created by Charles M. Schulz, once said this in a cartoon: “Yesterday I was a dog. Today I'm a dog. Tomorrow I'll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There's so little hope for advancement.”

• Attention park users: Littering now carries a fine of two hundred dollars.

• The coach quizzed the team on: techniques, strategies, and goals.

In which sentence is a colon NEEDED?

• The meeting will begin at 3,00.

• Hi, Kim,

  We will be on vacation in Miami from June 7 to the 13th. We hope you will be able to visit us at the beach!

  Your old friend,

  Kiesha

• Be careful if you are going out barefoot because there is broken glass on the sidewalk.

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

• Mowing the lawn will take an hour; unless you hurry.

• First, the mower’s battery has to charge; then you can mow the lawn.

• When you are ready; start the mower by pressing this lever.

Which sentence uses semicolons correctly?

• If they have clear skies, people in New England; the Mid-Atlantic states; and the Southeast will be able to see the eclipse tonight.

• Lunar eclipses took place on March 3, 2007; September 11, 2007; and February 21, 2008.

• Total solar eclipses occurred in 2001; 2003; and 2005.

Determine whether each sentence uses a colon correctly.

• Cotton may be blended with: polyester, rayon, or other synthetic fabrics.

• Today we learned: black holes, quasars, and pulsars are real objects in the universe.

• Here is the best reason to visit the Air and Space museum: to see the rocket ships up close.

Which sentence correctly uses commas for items in a series?

• The radio reported that the election was over that the turnout was good, and that the results were surprising.

• Don’t forget to pack your rain poncho, a hat, and some extra socks.

• The speaker explained that Ceres, Eris, and Pluto, are all dwarf planets.

Which sentence correctly uses commas for items in a series?

• The student driver nervously turned the key put the car in gear, and pressed on the gas.

• The children bowled the parents kept score, and the grandparents watched.

• The security officer asked them who they were, where they were going, and what they wanted.