For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. Identify whether to use colons or semicolons in sentences. Colons and semicolons should never be used interchangeably. Oct 15, 20 punctuation is a challenging aspect of english writing, and many writers encounter problems using colons and semi colons. When you use colons and semicolons, you come off as a grammar genius. When to use a comma, semicolon, and colon, and what the. Buy our book smashing grammar 2019 written by the founder of grammar monster, smashing grammar includes a glossary of grammar essentials from apostrophes to zeugma and a chapter on easily confused words from affecteffect to whetherif. Suggested websites for more information and activities. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences grammar and. To form an en dash with most laptops, type the first number or word, then hold down the fn and ctrl keys while depressing the semicolon colon key.
Its no accident that a semicolon is a period atop a comma. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, and well cover those below. The most common use is to inform the reader that whatever follows the colon proves, explains, defines, describes, or lists elements of what preceded the colon. Colons can easily be misused but if used properly can be very helpful in your writing. Colons and semicolons are a great way to break up a sentence and communicate that sentence with more power than a comma. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar.
Colons and semicolons the colon follows an independent clause a complete statement and introduces one of three things. In writing, we use colons and semicolons to make connections and introductions. Punctuation marks are tools that have set function. Tim and moby introduce you to a strange and useful punctuation mark. Mark twain would have been proud of me before selek crossed my path. Semicolons and colons quiz 2 the blue book of grammar and.
Semicolons i have grown fond of semicolons in recent years. Cliffsnotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what youre studying, cliffsnotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. Sep 20, 2006 the blue book of grammar and punctuation a short list of rules. After reading the handout, you will be better able to decide when to use these forms of punctuation in your own writing. However, there are a number of definite rules that can be followed to help ensure their correct usage in academic and formal writing. Like commas, semicolons indicate an audible pauseslightly longer than a commas, but short of a periods full stop. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and. The blue book of grammar and punctuation by jane straus.
Rule 1 to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. Grammar and punctuation lesson 3 colons and semicolons. Commas quiz semicolons and colons quiz question marks, quotation marks, and. Using punctuation is like pausing between words and ideas when you speak. In the current edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation and on the website, we have stated a preference for use of the serial, or oxford, comma. Remember that using too many semicolons and colons can make a paper look cluttered, particularly a shorter paper. Comma, colons, and semicolons punctuation lesson who cares. The semicolon or semicolon is simply a break in a sentence that is stronger than a comma but not as final as a full stop.
Semicolons and colons quiz 2 the blue book of grammar. You can use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses. If you would like help with your grammar or apostrophes, we run workshops on these subjects. Writing 20 2 punctuation 25 periods 25 commas 25 semicolons 30 colons. Correct the punctuation in the following sentences by rewriting the sentence, adding semicolons and colons where they are needed and by changing other punctuation and capitalization as needed. Ive just read an interesting book about punctuation by a real stickler. Interestingly, the dispute was resolved through the use of semicolons and cash. If not, write the corrected sentence in the text frame below. Learn when to use a colon english grammar revolution.
A semicolon is a form of punctuation that sorts out complex lists or links complete clauses. Use them sparingly in order to add variety to the methods utilized to connect sentences. Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to real. This post is all about colons and semicolons punctuation is the name for the marks we use in writing. Nov 05, 2019 using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences posted on tuesday, march, 2018, at 8. Use a semicolon between two independent clauses a clause is a group of words having a subject and a verb. I understand the comma thing, they are my personal nemesis.
Chapter three, punctuation, contains all the usual suspects. Includes lots of examples on how to use colons and semicolons. What are commas, semicolons, and colons they add pacing and clarity. Use a colon to introduce an item or a series of items. Full text of manual of style for use of copy editors, proof readers, operators, and. Imagine if you didnt take pause between words and sentences when speaking. Is the colon used correctly in the following sentences. Daily grammar lesson 381 mechanics punctuation semicolons. Full text of manual of style for use of copy editors. The semicolon an excellent overview, complete with lots of examples. Choose from 500 different sets of commas semicolons colons flashcards on quizlet. Accommodations can include, but are not limited to, allowing additional time to take a test, reading the test directions aloud, reading the entire test aloud, allowing the student to take the test in a distractionfree area, sectioning the test into several sessions, allowing multiple breaks while testing, and having.
Replace each set of brackets with a comma or a semicolon, keeping in mind that the primary use of a semicolon is to separate two main clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction. The problem is that not all lists need to be introduced by a colon. Many writers either neglect to use or overuse commas, which complicates their sentences, or can sometimes obscure the meaning. Many people mistakenly add a colon before every list. The group of words that comes before the semicolon should form a complete sentence, the group of words that comes after the semicolon should form a complete sentence, and the two sentences should share a close, logical connection. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Semicolons the blue book of grammar and punctuation.
Semicolons and colons indicate sophisticated writing. There are three methods of attracting earthworms from the ground. Our mission is to provide a free, worldclass education to anyone, anywhere. Semicolons, colons, and dashes throughout the following two paragraphs, you will find a number of empty paired brackets. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. Aug 11, 2007 would i put a comma after but limited to. Colons punctuation rules the blue book of grammar and. Uwmadison writing center another list of rules, along with some common errors. This handout explains the most common uses of three kinds of punctuation. However, commas, semicolons, and colons all can appear within a sentence without ending it. Were here to help in the event of a school closure.
Semicolons and colons quiz 2 from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Learn commas semicolons colons with free interactive flashcards. The blue book of grammar and punctuation book depository. Semicolons are especially useful for separating items in a list or linking two closely related statements. Well look at three main uses for colons, and well see that each of them uses a complete sentence before the colon. Colons and semicolons are two valuable pieces of punctuation that separate sentence elements from each other. Lesson 246 of a compound sentence a compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses. Jun 21, 2018 one of the least understood but quietly significant distinctions of grammar is between a semicolon and a colon. Remember not to put a semicolon after the last item in the list. Now we know where each item on the list begins and ends.
Meant to be used on an entire uri, so does not encode valid uri components, such as colons, forward slashes, question marks, and percent signs. Use a comma to join items in a series that do not already contain commas. See the entire contents of the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences two weeks ago we revisited the case of the lawsuit brought by a group of maine dairy truck drivers that centered on the proper use of commas. You can now learn all about who and whom, affect and effect, subjects and verbs, adjectives and adverbs, commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and much more by just sitting back and enjoying these short, easytofollow videos on usage. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. By using the semicolon you can avoid overuse of the comma. Or, how about the rule, use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the folow. Grammar and punctuation the blue book of grammar and. You can avoid confusing people like this by using semi colons between items on a list when the items have commas inside them, like this. The blue book of grammar and punctuation jane straus on. Most authorities recommend using no spaces before or after en or em dashes. The main function of a colon is to introduce what follows it.
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