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Colons and Semicolons
The Semicolon
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| Use
semicolons to separate independent clauses not joined by coordinating
conjunctions. |
They
went to the grocery store; Suzi bought milk and bread.
This is my favorite restaurant; I'm glad we came here.
He always takes the extra shift; this time he was out of town.
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| Use
semicolons between long or internally punctuated independent
clauses even when they are joined by coordinating conjunctions. |
The students,
who were first semester high school freshman, were not familiar
with the new environment; but now they are completely comfortable.
We had already ordered the cake, arranged the entertainment,
and selected the decorations; so there wasn't much left to
be done by John, Joan, or Chris.
I am eager, as you can imagine, to move forward with the plan;
but the funding, which is being reduced, has not been approved.
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| Use
semicolons to separate independent clauses joined by conjunctive
adverbs or transitional expressions. |
He trained
for months for the competition; however, he broke his wrist
the week before the main event.
The substitute speaker arrived at the last minute; thus the
meeting was saved from being a complete failure.
He did not register before the deadline; consequently, he
was not eligible to participate.
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| Use
semicolons to separate phrases or clauses in a series if they
are long or contain commas. |
On that
unlucky day, Jane couldn't find her homework, lost her shoes,
and slipped on the sidewalk; John broke his arm, ripped his
shirt, and his wallet was stolen; and Bob was late for work,
didn't remember to wear his tie, and scratched his glasses.
We visited Houston, Texas; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Boston,
Massachusetts. Jane got flowers, a bracelet, and a ring from
her aunt; shoes, a purse, and earrings from her parents; and
a briefcase, a pen, and a watch from her godparents.
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Semicolon Usage Practice
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| Place
a semicolon where needed in the following sentences. |
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- Mike wanted to go to the party Susan wanted to stay home.
- I love to read current fiction Susan Howatch is my favorite
author.
- Procrastination is my worst habit consequently, I often fail
to do my best.
- We have been to the Hard Rock Caf� locations in Atlanta,
Georgia Houston, Texas and Chicago, Illinois.
- My aunt, who doesn't like spicy foods, will not eat peppers
but she grows them in the garden for everyone else to enjoy.
- They said they didn't see him there however, he had signed
the registration log.
- Jane and Mark are in the same English class they each have
to write a research paper.
- You must remember to water the plants they are starting to
wilt.
- Students are usually given a syllabus on the first day of
class then there is often a reading assignment to complete before
the second class meeting.
- The pilots knew something was wrong however, they didn't
want to alarm the passengers.
- The robber, who had been caught, surrendered to the police
he was placed under arrest.
- You should review all of the material furthermore, we are
having a quiz next week.
- The puppy, who was adopted a week ago, needed much attention
so the family played with him each morning, after lunch, and
each evening.
- You should review the vocabulary from chapters 1, 2, and
3 answer the questions from sections A, B, and C from each chapter
and study charts 4, 5, and 6 on your handout.
- We wanted to take her shopping instead, she wanted to stay
home and sleep.
(click here to see answer key) |
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The
Colon
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| Use
a colon to introduce a series following a complete sentence. |
You have
to take three science classes: biology, chemistry, and anatomy.
We had three choices: Astroworld, the museum, or a basketball
game.
The United States flag has three colors: red, white, and blue.
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| Use
a colon before anything that defines, renames, explains, or
illustrates the preceding independent clause. |
She left
no doubt about her policy: she does not accept late work except
in emergencies.
There was much confusion at registration: people didn't know
which forms to complete and there were no signs to identify
the lines.
His favorite teacher was his math instructor: the one who
tutored him every day during study hall.
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| Use
a colon to introduce a quotation of more than four lines or
when a short quotation is introduced with a complete independent
clause. |
With
hesitation, she gave her answer: "Only if you promise to return."
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The introduction
of "The Tell-Tale Heart," a short story by Edgar Allan Poe,
reveals a great deal about the narrator's frame of mind:
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True!-nervous-very,
very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will
you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses-not
destroyed-not dulled them. Above all was the sense of
hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in
the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am
I mad? Hearken! And observe how healthily-how calmly I
can tell you the whole story.
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| Use
a colon at the end of a formal salutation. |
Dear
Dr. Jones:
Dear Professor Smith:
To Whom it May Concern:
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Colon
Usage Practice
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| Place
a colon where needed in the following sentences. |
- Finally, I remembered the stages of cell division interphase,
prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.
- She made her response boldly "I don't want to go."
- Her decision was made she would take algebra.
- Dear Judge Baker
- He couldn't resist the temptation he ate the piece of cake.
- The captain has written letters of recommendation for the
following people Jane Smith, John Brown, and Bill Jones.
- He proclaimed his choice boldly "I want the blue one."
- John teaches three classes history, government, and sociology.
- She particularly admired her aunt the one she lived with
while in high school.
- The meeting was a disaster the agenda was not prepared and
the discussion was unfocused.
(click here to see answer key) |
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