Semicolon Usage

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon to separate items in a list.

• On our trip, we visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Berlin, Germany.

• On our trip, we visited Paris; France, Rome; Italy, and Berlin; Germany.

• On our trip, we visited Paris, France; Rome; Italy; and Berlin, Germany.

• On our trip, we visited Paris, France, Rome, Italy, and Berlin, Germany.

Tags

DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon to join two related independent clauses?

• I finished my homework; then I went to bed.

• I finished my homework, then I went to bed.

• I finished my homework; and then I went to bed.

• I finished my homework: then I went to bed.

Tags

DOK Level 1: Recall

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses.

• The sun was setting; the sky turned orange and pink.

• The sun was setting, the sky turned orange and pink.

• The sun was setting; and the sky turned orange and pink.

• The sun was setting: the sky turned orange and pink.

Tags

DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Which sentence is punctuated correctly with a semicolon?

• We have a meeting at 10:00 AM; please be on time.

• We have a meeting at 10:00 AM; please, be on time.

• We have a meeting at 10:00 AM, please be on time.

• We have a meeting at 10:00 AM; and please be on time.

Tags

DOK Level 1: Recall

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon to separate items in a complex list?

• The conference was attended by John Smith, CEO; Jane Doe, CFO; and Michael Brown, CTO.

• The conference was attended by John Smith; CEO, Jane Doe; CFO, and Michael Brown; CTO.

• The conference was attended by John Smith, CEO, Jane Doe, CFO, and Michael Brown, CTO.

• The conference was attended by John Smith; CEO; Jane Doe; CFO; and Michael Brown; CTO.

Tags

DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses.

• The project is due tomorrow; we need to work late tonight.

• The project is due tomorrow; and we need to work late tonight.

• The project is due tomorrow, we need to work late tonight.

• The project is due tomorrow: we need to work late tonight.

Tags

DOK Level 1: Recall

Which option is NOT grammatically correct.

• Your resume looks quite promising; so we are anxious to hire you.

• Your resume looks quite promising, so we are anxious to hire you.

• Your resume looks quite promising; we are anxious to hire you.

• Your resume looks quite promising; in fact, we are anxious to hire you.

For each pair of sentences, choose the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.

• Summer is my favorite season; we take trips to the beach daily.

• Summer is my favorite season; We take trips to the beach daily.

Complete the sentence by combining the independent clauses with a semicolon and the conjunctive adverb (therefore): It was a very old car. We had trouble getting it started.

Complete the sentence by combining the independent clauses with a semicolon and the conjunctive adverb (nevertheless): Coach stated that the next player giving less than one hundred percent was off the team. Several players continued to walk down the court.