Understanding Semi-Colons

What is a semi-colon used for?

• To link two related sentences.

• To end a sentence completely.

• To start a new paragraph.

• To replace a question mark.

Which of the following sentences uses a semi-colon correctly?

• Hannah loves football: it's her favorite sport.

• Hannah loves football, it's her favorite sport.

• Hannah loves football. it's her favorite sport.

• Hannah loves football; it's her favorite sport.

What can a semi-colon replace in a sentence?

• A co-ordinating conjunction like 'and'.

• A full stop between unrelated sentences.

• A comma in a list.

• A question mark.

Which sentence shows the correct use of a semi-colon in a list?

• They saw seaweed; seagulls; shells; pebbles; and starfish.

• They saw: seaweed, seagulls, shells, pebbles, and starfish.

• They saw seaweed, seagulls, shells, pebbles, and starfish.

• They saw: seaweed; seagulls; shells; pebbles; and starfish.

What is the purpose of using a semi-colon in a list?

• To make the list items less clear.

• To make the list items stand out more clearly.

• To replace all commas in the list.

• To end the list.

Which sentence correctly replaces a conjunction with a semi-colon?

• Jay's team was the Panthers. Hannah's was the Hawks.

• Jay's team was the Panthers: Hannah's was the Hawks.

• Jay's team was the Panthers, Hannah's was the Hawks.

• Jay's team was the Panthers; Hannah's was the Hawks.

When should you not use a semi-colon?

• In a list with complex items.

• To end a sentence completely.

• To replace a conjunction in a sentence.

• Between two related sentences.

Which of the following is a correct use of a semi-colon?

• It started to rain hard. the referee told them to play on.

• It started to rain hard: the referee told them to play on.

• It started to rain hard, the referee told them to play on.

• It started to rain hard; the referee told them to play on.