Mastering Colons and Semicolons

Which of the following sentences uses a colon correctly?

• She had three favorite hobbies: reading, painting, and hiking.

• She had: three favorite hobbies reading, painting, and hiking.

• She: had three favorite hobbies reading, painting, and hiking.

• She had three favorite hobbies, reading, painting, and; hiking.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon.

• I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.

• I have a big test tomorrow: I can't; go out tonight.

• I have a big test; tomorrow, I can't go out tonight.

• I have a big test; tomorrow I can't go out tonight.

Combine the following sentences using a semicolon: "The weather is nice today" and "We should go for a walk."

• The weather is; nice today we should go for a walk.

• The weather is nice today; we should go for a walk.

• The weather is nice today: we should; go for a walk.

• The weather is nice today we should go for a; walk.

Which sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a list?

• For the picnic, we need: sandwiches, fruit, and drinks.

• For the picnic, we need sandwiches: fruit, and drinks.

• For: the picnic, we need sandwiches, fruit, and drinks.

• For the picnic: we need sandwiches, fruit, and drinks.

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

• She loves to read books; especially mysteries.

• She loves to read books, especially; mysteries.

• She loves to read books; she finds them fascinating.

• She loves; to read books she finds them fascinating.