Semicolons and Colons

Pps 259-261

Semicolons

1. Separate items in a series if any of the items contains commas.The students gathered after school; practiced their solos, blocking, and choreography; and were ready for opening night.

2. Between independent clauses joined by a conjunction if either clause contains commas

Semicolons

3. Join 2 independent clauses if no coordinating conjunction is used

Opening night was a success; the audience gave a standing ovation.

Semicolons

4. Before a conjunctive adverb or a parenthetical expression that joins the clauses of a compound sentence

The show was sold out; therefore, the director added an additional show.

Colons

1. Use to introduce a list of items but not

a. after a verbb. in the middle of a prepositional

phrasec. after because or as

Which sentence is correct?

The three longest rivers in the world are: the Nile, the Amazon, and the Yangtze.

These are the three longest rivers in the world: the Nile, the Amazon, and the Yangtze.

Which sentence is correct?

I have swum in the following bodies of water: the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and Lake Michigan.

I have swum in: the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and Lake Michigan.

Which sentence is correct?

The ship was in danger because: a terrible storm was approaching.

The ship was in danger because a terrible storm was approaching.

More Colon Rules

2. Use a colon between 2 ind. clauses when the second clause explains or summarizes the first.

The captain was right: we should have waited out the storm.

More Colon Rules

3. Introduce a formal or long quotation.4. After a formal salutation of a

business letter.5. After labels that signal important

ideasBeware: These waters contain sharks

6. Between hour and minute of time7. Between chapter and verse of

certain religious works

Review: Commas, Semicolons, & Colons

Label your paper 1-10. You will be shown 2 sentences.

Please choose the sentence which uses the punctuation correctly.

Commas

1.a. My dog has always been an

obedient loyal friend.

b. My dog has always been an obedient, loyal friend.

Commas

2. a. Well, Mr. Jones you should feel

proud of yourself.

b. Well, Mr. Jones, you should feel proud of yourself.

Commas

3.

a. Before dinner the hostess served cheese, crackers, and chips.

b. Before dinner the hostess served, cheese, crackers, and chips.

Commas

4.

a. “Line up by the wall,” Ms. Holcomb said, “and count off by two’s.”

b. “Line up by the wall,” Ms. Holcomb said “and count off by two’s.”

Commas

5.

a. The band will appear in Detroit tonight and then, the tour heads for Chicago.

b. The band will appear in Detroit tonight, and then the tour heads for Chicago.

Commas

6.

a. I thought that the first comedian was funny; the second, boring.

b. I thought, that the first comedian was funny; the second boring.

Semicolons and Colons

7.

a. The bus stopped at the entrance; picked up students, teachers, and parents; and continued to the theater.

b. The bus stopped at the entrance, picked up students, teachers, and parents: and continued to the theater.

Semicolons and Colons

8.

a. Bring these items; a pencil; a pen; and a pad of paper.

b. Bring these items: a pencil, a pen, and a pad of paper.

Semicolons and Colons

9.

a. The race was close for three laps: however; the red car soon pulled ahead.

b. The race was close for three laps; however, the red car soon pulled ahead.

Semicolons and Colons

10.

a. The baby was satisfied: his beloved blanket had been returned.

b. The baby was satisfied because: his beloved blanket had been returned.

ANSWERS

1. B 7. A2. B 8. B3. A 9. B4. A 10. A5. B6. A

Quiz tomorrow

Commas, semicolons, colons 20 problems Bring a pencil