Lesson

Game

Extras!

Graphics and Examples

courtesy of “The Oatmeal”

CONNECT SENTENCES

CONNECT SENTENCES

CONNECT SENTENCES

CONNECT SENTENCES

SUPER-COMMA

SUMMARYUSE A SEMICOLON:

• Join two related sentences

• Use to separate a list of items already separated by commas

DON’T USE A SEMICOLON

• When two sentences are joined by a conjunction

Back to Start

PRACTICE GAME

Example | Let’s Play!

SAMPLE 1

1.) Stephanie adopted a cat.

2.) Sven went to the store. 3.) Megan rode her bike down a hill.

A.) Mark moved to Massachusetts.

B.) The water bottle was empty.

C.) It had ten kittens.

Column One Column Two

Check Answer

Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?¿Qué penas se puede conectar por un punto y coma?

ANSWER TO SAMPLE 1

One More Example

1.) Stephanie adopted a cat.

2.) Sven went to the store.

3.) Megan rode her bike down a hill.

A.) Mark moved to Massachusetts.

B.) The water bottle was empty.

C.) It had ten kittens.

Column One Column Two

WHY: Both sentences are related because they talk about the cat. None of the other sentences relate to each other.

POR QUÉ: Ambas frases están relacionadas porque hablan sobre el gato. Ninguna de las otras frases se relacionan entre sí.

Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?¿Qué penas se puede conectar por un punto y coma?

SAMPLE 2

Kristen got all dressed up for the party however, her best friend wore jeans.

Check Answer

Where should the semicolon go?¿Dónde poner el punto y coma ir?

Let’s Play!

ANSWER TO SAMPLE 2

Kristen got all dressed up for the party; however, her best friend wore jeans.

WHY: “Kristen got all dressed up for the party” and “however, her best friend wore jeans” are both complete sentences that relate to

one another.

POR QUÉ: "Kristen se vistió todo para la fiesta" y "sin embargo, su mejor amiga llevaba pantalones vaqueros" son frases completas

que se relacionan entre sí.

Where should the semicolon go?¿Dónde poner el punto y coma ir?

1.) Jelly beans are delicious.

2.) Megan wants to play inside.

3.) The dog peed twice in the snow.

A.) Haley wants to play outside.

B.) The water bottle was empty.

C.) Wow, those knuckles are hairy!

Column One Column Two

QUESTION 1

Check Answer

Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

Next Question

WHY: The sentences have the same format and contrast one another, so they can be connected with a semicolon.

1.) Jelly beans are delicious.

2.) Megan wants to play inside.

3.) The dog peed twice in the snow.

A.) Haley wants to play outside.

B.) The water bottle was empty.

C.) Wow, those knuckles are hairy!

Column One Column Two

ANSWER TO QUESTION 1Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

QUESTION 2

Check Answer

Where should the semicolon go?

The roof leaked, and the walls sagged therefore, Brooke hired a contractor to

repair the house.

The roof leaked, and the walls sagged; therefore, Brooke hired a contractor to

repair the house.

WHY: “The roof leaked, and the walls sagged” and “therefore, Brooke hired a contractor to repair the house” are both complete

sentences. The first sentence gives the reason why Brooke called a contractor.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 2Where should the semicolon go?

1.) The feline is very elegant.

2.) Lemonade is Melissa’s favorite drink.

3.) My hair is very wet.

A.) I just washed it.

B.) The purple peacock jumped over the tall, maroon fence.

C.) My life is all about dance because it makes me feel alive.

Column One Column Two

Check Answer

QUESTION 3Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

Column Two

WHY: Both sentences are related because they talk about the person’s hair. The second sentence explains why the first sentence

is true.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 3Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

1.) The feline is very elegant.

2.) Lemonade is Melissa’s favorite drink.

3.) My hair is very wet.

A.) I just washed it.

B.) The purple peacock jumped over the tall, maroon fence.

C.) My life is all about dance because it makes me feel alive.

Column One

My father is an accountant my mother is a lawyer.

Check Answer

QUESTION 4Where should the semicolon go?

My father is an accountant; my mother is a lawyer.

WHY: “My father is an accountant” and “my mother is a lawyer” are both complete sentences. They relate to one another because they

both list the speaker’s parent’s jobs and are formatted the same, showing parallel structure (we will talk about this next week).

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 4Where should the semicolon go?

1.) Llamas are aliens from outer space.

2.) I saw Tangled five times at the movie theater.

3.) I have a lot of homework.

A.) My Mom wants me to buy milk at the grocery store.

B.) Cara washed the dishes for the past five nights.

C.) I will stay up late to finish it.

Column One Column Two

Check Answer

QUESTION 5Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

Column One Column Two

WHY: Both sentences are related because they talk about the homework. The second sentence explains the effect of the first.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 5Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

1.) Llamas are aliens from outer space.

2.) I saw Tangled five times at the movie theater.

3.) I have a lot of homework.

A.) My Mom wants me to buy milk at the grocery store.

B.) Cara washed the dishes for the past five nights.

C.) I will stay up late to finish it.

This case bears investigation I'll put someone on it.

Check Answer

QUESTION 6Where should the semicolon go?

This case bears investigation; I'll put someone on it.

WHY: “This case bears investigation” and “I’ll put someone on it” are both complete sentences. The second sentence is the result of

the decision made in the first sentnece.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 6Where should the semicolon go?

1.) Do you like to go to the zoo?

2.) The 105 degree weather made it excruciatingly hot outside.

3.) Sherlock Holmes spends his days in London solving crimes.

A.) Sarah has pajamas with monkeys on them.

B.) My favorite television show is Once Upon a Time.

C.) I had to use a fan to keep cool.

Column One Column Two

Check Answer

QUESTION 7Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

Column One Column Two

WHY: Both sentences talk about the heat; the second explains what the speaker did to combat it.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 7Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

1.) Do you like to go to the zoo?

2.) The 105 degree weather made it excruciatingly hot outside.

3.) Sherlock Holmes spends his days in London solving crimes.

A.) Sarah has pajamas with monkeys on them.

B.) My favorite television show is Once Upon a Time.

C.) I had to use a fan to keep cool.

Apples are usually sold by the pound oranges are sold by the dozen.

Check Answer

QUESTION 8Where should the semicolon go?

Apples are usually sold by the pound; oranges are sold by the dozen.

WHY: “Apples are usually sold by the pound” and “oranges are sold by the dozen” are both complete sentences. While they both have

different topics (apples and oranges), the two topics are related (they are both fruit) and the sentences have the same structure,

allowing them to be combined by a semicolon.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 8Where should the semicolon go?

1.) Kim and Lisa had a fight about Lisa’s new boyfriend.

2.) Rebecca has two little sisters and one older brother.

3.) Maxine takes dance classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

A.) The dog loves to eat homework.

B.) They are not talking to each other today.

C.) Every Monday and Thursday, I watch the Lizzie Bennet Diaries on YouTube.

Column One Column Two

Check Answer

QUESTION 9Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

Column One Column Two

WHY: Both sentences talk about Kim and Lisa’s fight.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 9Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

1.) Kim and Lisa had a fight about Lisa’s new boyfriend.

2.) Rebecca has two little sisters and one older brother.

3.) Maxine takes dance classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

A.) The dog loves to eat homework.

B.) They are not talking to each other today.

C.) Every Monday and Thursday, I watch the Lizzie Bennet Diaries on YouTube.

People came from Berkley, California Eugene, Oregon Houston, Texas and

San Diego, California.

Check Answer

QUESTION 10Where should the semicolon go?

People came from Berkley, California; Eugene, Oregon; Houston, Texas; and

San Diego, California.

WHY: This is an example of the semicolon acting as a super-comma. If each location was separated by just a comma, the reader

would not know whether Berkley and California referred to two places or the city inside the state.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 10Where should the semicolon go?

1.) The next book we will read together is The Great Gatsby.

2.) Stephanie plans to teach anthropology to high school students one day.

3.) The big dog barked ferociously, scaring the little boy.

A.) He screamed before running as fast as he could the other way.

B.) Lauren works for the radio station.

C.) Playing basketball is a fun and healthy pastime.

Column One Column Two

Check Answer

QUESTION 11Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

Column One Column Two

WHY: Both sentences talk about the boy’s reaction to the dog.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 11Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

1.) The next book we will read together is The Great Gatsby.

2.) Stephanie plans to teach anthropology to high school students one day.

3.) The big dog barked ferociously, scaring the little boy.

A.) He screamed before running as fast as he could the other way.

B.) Lauren works for the radio station.

C.) Playing basketball is a fun and healthy pastime.

Tropical islands are great places to live they have beautiful beaches, and the

weather is great all year.

Check Answer

QUESTION 12Where should the semicolon go?

Tropical islands are great places to live; they have beautiful beaches, and the weather is great all year.

WHY: The text before and after the semicolon is a complete sentence. The second sentence explains the first.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 12Where should the semicolon go?

1.) He cannot decide whether to buy a house in Miami or on Cocoa Beach.

2.) Popsicles are on sale for fifty percent off at the store.

3.) My friend was feeling extremely sick before she threw up in class.

A.) I took a picture of a giraffe on my African safari.

B.) I stayed with her in the nurse’s office that afternoon.

C.) He is reading his favorite book, The Phantom Tollbooth, now.

Column One Column Two

Check Answer

QUESTION 13Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

Column One Column Two

WHY: These sentences are related because they talk about the speaker’s friend’s illness.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 13Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

1.) He cannot decide whether to buy a house in Miami or on Cocoa Beach.

2.) Popsicles are on sale for fifty percent off at the store.

3.) My friend was feeling extremely sick before she threw up in class.

A.) I took a picture of a giraffe on my African safari.

B.) I stayed with her in the nurse’s office that afternoon.

C.) He is reading his favorite book, The Phantom Tollbooth now.

I can’t eat strawberries they give me a rash.

Check Answer

QUESTION 14Where should the semicolon go?

I can’t eat strawberries; they give me a rash.

WHY: These two sentences relate to one another because the second explains why the speaker cannot complete the action in the

first sentence (eating strawberries).

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 14Where should the semicolon go?

1.) We adopted my little brother last month from Guatemala.

2.) My family went to Walt Disney World over Thanksgiving Break for the first time.

3.) Margaret loves to chase the ice cream truck down the road.

A.) He is wearing a tuxedo for the wedding.

B.) We had a great time riding all of the rides and watching all of the shows.

C.) My dog got pregnant this summer.

Column One Column Two

Check Answer

QUESTION 15Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

Column One Column Two

WHY: Both sentences talk about the trip to Walt Disney World. None of the other sentences are related.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 15Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

1.) We adopted my little brother last month from Guatemala.

2.) My family went to Walt Disney World over Thanksgiving Break for the first time.

3.) Margaret loves to chase the ice cream truck down the road.

A.) He is wearing a tuxedo for the wedding.

B.) We had a great time riding all of the rides and watching all of the shows.

C.) My dog got pregnant this summer.

He ate six hotdogs he got a stomachache.

Check Answer

QUESTION 16Where should the semicolon go?

He ate six hotdogs; he got a stomachache.

WHY: The second sentence shows the result of the original action (eating six hotdogs).

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 16Where should the semicolon go?

1.) The chalking event was cancelled when it started to rain.

2.) Class was cancelled today.

3.) Christopher ate all his vegetables so he could have desert.

A.) Mr. Jones was at home sick.

B.) The alphabet soup had every letter except a “Z.”

C.) Last weekend we all played Monopoly for her birthday.

Column One Column Two

Check Answer

QUESTION 17Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

Column One Column Two

WHY: The sentences are related because the second sentence explains the reason for the first sentence—class was cancelled

today because Mr. Jones was at home sick.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 17Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

1.) The chalking event was cancelled when it started to rain.

2.) Class was cancelled today.

3.) Christopher ate all his vegetables so he could have desert.

A.) Mr. Jones was at home sick.

B.) The alphabet soup had every letter except a “Z.”

C.) Last weekend we all played Monopoly for her birthday.

Relatives at the family reunion included my older brother, Bob my cousin, Mandy and my great aunt,

Mary.

Check Answer

QUESTION 18Where should the semicolon go?

Relatives at the family reunion included my older brother, Bob; my cousin, Mandy; and my great aunt,

Mary.

WHY: This is another example of the semicolon as a super-comma. Each family member in the list has a comma before his or her

name. Since commas are part of the items in the list, a semicolon can make the list clear.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 18Where should the semicolon go?

1.) Anthony wandered around the monuments in Washington, D.C.

2.) Sarah carried milk and cookies to class for her students.

3.) I really wanted the car, but I walked out of the dealership without it.

A.) It was far too expensive.

B.) The truck broke down at the edge of the highway.

C.) The girl’s hair was so curly her mother had to cut out her brush when it got stuck.

Column One Column Two

Check Answer

QUESTION 19Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

Column One Column Two

WHY: Both sentences discuss the car. The second sentence provides the reason the speaker did not buy it.

Next Question

ANSWER TO QUESTION 19Which sentences can be connected by a semicolon?

1.) Anthony wandered around the monuments in Washington, D.C.

2.) Sarah carried milk and cookies to class for her students.

3.) I really wanted the car, but I walked out of the dealership without it.

A.) It was far too expensive.

B.) The truck broke down at the edge of the highway.

C.) The girl’s hair was so curly her mother had to cut out her brush when it got stuck.

Andrew plays the harmonica Matthew, the base Adrian, the guitar and Nathan,

the drums.

Check Answer

QUESTION 20Where should the semicolon go?

Andrew plays the harmonica; Matthew, the base; Adrian, the guitar; and

Nathan, the drums. WHY: This sentence is another example of the semicolon as a

super-comma. In this case, the writer eliminated the word “plays” for stylistic effect in the clauses after “Andrew plays the harmonica.” The writer replaced it with a comma, so a semicolon is needed to

clarify the list.

Back to Start

ANSWER TO QUESTION 20Where should the semicolon go?

EXTRAS!

SEMICOLONS ARE EVERYWHERE!

They even make it to the New York Times.

“To use a semicolon properly can be an act of faith. It’s a way of saying to the reader, who is already holding one bag of groceries, here, I know it’s a lot, but can you take another? And then (in the case of William James) another? And another? And one more? Which sounds, of course, dreadful, and like just the sort of discourtesy a writer ought strenuously to avoid. But the truth is that there can be something wonderful in being festooned in carefully balanced bags; there’s a kind of exquisite tension, a feeling of delicious responsibility, in being so loaded up that you seem to have half a grocery store suspended from your body.”

ONLINE RESOURCES

• Full Oatmeal Graphic Explanation

• Fun and Easy Semicolon Rules

• Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips

• Once and For All: How to Use a Semicolon

ANOTHER EXPLANATION

EVEN MORE EXPLANATIONS

• Scribendi

• Purdue Owl

• Using Semicolons in Spanish

• Difference between English and Spanish Semicolons

ADDITIONAL PRACTICE

• The Semicolon Wars

• Comma and Semicolon Quiz

• Semicolon Jeopardy

• Semicolon Quiz

• Practice Quiz

Back to Start