Tuesday, January 15 semi-colons

SEMICOLONS
semi colon intro (2:27

semi colons complex list (2:39)

Name ______________________       Semicolon Use

The semicolon (;) is probably the most commonly misused punctuation mark. It is easy to use, but many people do not understand how to use it correctly. 

Semicolons are easy to use correctly, as long as you remember one simple rule about semicolon use: a semicolon should be used to separate two independent clauses (or complete sentences) that are closely related in meaning.

That's it--that's all that you need to remember to use semicolons correctly. Wow. That was easy.

To help you determine if you are using a semicolon correctly, just ask yourself if a period would be correct if used where the semicolon is used. If so, then you have used the semicolon correctly. If a comma could be used where a semicolon is used, then the semicolon is not used correctly. To some extent, periods and semicolons are interchangeable--in many situations, you can use one or the other. But semicolons and commas are not interchangeable--if you can replace a semicolon with a comma, you have used the semicolon incorrectly.

Semicolons are often misused. Some writers seem to think that semicolons are fancy commas that create longer pauses than commas. This is not true. A semicolon NEVER should be used to try to create a "pause" longer than that achieved by a comma.

If you can use a period correctly, then you can use a semicolon correctly. A semicolon is used just like a period, but it is used to separate two complete sentences when the sentences are closely related in meaning.

(Note: There are some exceptions to these rules of semicolon usage, but they are so rare that they seldom come up in student papers.)

Please insert the semi-colon in the following sentences as needed. Some commas may need removing; as well, some sentences might be fine as they are written.

1.  The score was tied the game went into overtime.

   

2.  Professor Brown has left the laboratory, however, you may still be able to reach her through email.

3. We didn't attend the play, besides, we had heard that all the good seats were taken.

4.  The keys to the lower door were not, however, in their usual place.

5.  Ingrid, a shortstop, made the team, but Joe, her cousin, did not make the cut.

8.  Read the article out loud, then answer all ten questions on the quiz.

9.  Martin had paid his dues, therefore, we allowed him to vote in the election.

10. The World Series had begun, however, we were still stuck in traffic.

11. Martin Luther King did not intend to become a preacher, originally he wanted to be a lawyer.

   

12.   If you want to lose weight and keep it off, try a good diet, if you are serious about your goal, you should be successful.

   

15.  The route suggested by Map Quest was not, however, open to traffic that day.

   

16.   Many parents are in favor of school uniforms, they feel that the uniforms develop a sense of community among students.

   

17.  The rain was causing flooding in many areas, however, we still carried out our plans.

   

 18.  Throwing his arms into the air, Mike looked absolutely dumbfounded, so he stood up, knocking all of the materials on the floor, and left the building.

19.  John is a former police officer, he now stays home with his children.

   

20.  He is not doing well in school, however, everyone hopes that he will be able to graduate.