Connecting Clauses with Colons and Semicolons

What is the key mistake students often make when joining two complete thoughts?

• Using a period

• Using a colon

• Using a semicolon

• Using a comma

Which of the following is a correct use of a semicolon?

• I went to the store: I bought apples.

• I went to the store, I bought apples.

• I went to the store; I bought apples.

• I went to the store; and I bought apples.

When should you use a semicolon with a transition word?

• Before the transition word

• After the transition word

• Before and after the transition word

• Only if the transition word is at the beginning of a sentence

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a colon?

• I have three favorite fruits; apples, oranges, and bananas.

• I have three favorite fruits: apples, oranges, and bananas.

• I have three favorite fruits. Apples, oranges, and bananas.

• I have three favorite fruits, apples, oranges, and bananas.

What is the primary function of a colon in a sentence?

• To introduce a list or an explanation

• To join two complete thoughts

• To separate items in a list

• To end a sentence

Which sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a quote?

• She said, 'We should all be feminists.'

• She said. 'We should all be feminists.'

• She said; 'We should all be feminists.'

• She said: 'We should all be feminists.'

In the sentence 'Here is my thought: we need to carry in Bob Dylan's furniture before it starts raining,' why is a colon used?

• To introduce a list

• To join two complete thoughts

• To separate items in a list

• To introduce an explanation

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon?

• Nikki Minaj was destined to be a great movie star. Others thought she'd make a great director.

• Nikki Minaj was destined to be a great movie star, others thought she'd make a great director.

• Nikki Minaj was destined to be a great movie star; others thought she'd make a great director.

• Nikki Minaj was destined to be a great movie star: others thought she'd make a great director.

What should you do if you have a transition word between two clauses?

• Use a comma before the transition word and a semicolon after it

• Use a semicolon before the transition word and a comma after it

• Use a colon before the transition word and a semicolon after it

• Use a period before the transition word and a comma after it

What is the correct way to write the following sentence: 'The orange gummy worms are extremely sour they’re also Frederick Douglass’s favorite'?

• The orange gummy worms are extremely sour; they’re also Frederick Douglass’s favorite.

• The orange gummy worms are extremely sour, they’re also Frederick Douglass’s favorite.

• The orange gummy worms are extremely sour. They’re also Frederick Douglass’s favorite.

• The orange gummy worms are extremely sour: they’re also Frederick Douglass’s favorite.