using semicolons correctly click here to begin. there are two main rules we will focus on in order...
TRANSCRIPT
Using Semicolons Correctly
GOAL:
I CAN CORRECTLY USE AND IDENTIFY SEMICOLONS IN A SENTENCE
Click Here to Begin
There are two main rules we will focus on in order to learn how to correctly use semicolons.
Rule 1: Linking 2 independent clauses
Click the arrow next to the rule you would like to learn about.
Rule 2: Separating a series that contains commas already
Rule #1: Use a semicolon when you link 2 independent clauses, or complete sentences, without adding connecting words.
COMPLETE Sentence
COMPLETE Sentence;
The two independent
clauses, which could stand alone as their own sentences, are
joined by a semicolon only.
Rule #1: Use a semicolon when you link 2 independent clauses, or complete sentences, without adding connecting words.
Here’s how it works:
EX: Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle. Her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.
(These are two independent clauses that could stand alone as their own sentences)
To use a semicolon in order to combine these sentences:
Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle ; her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.
To combine these sentences, take out the period, add a semicolon, and make the ‘h’ in her lower-case.
Rule #1: : Use a semicolon when you link 2 independent clauses, or complete sentences, without adding connecting words.
Semicolons combine two independent clauses and reduce the pause between the two complete thoughts.
They do this WITHOUT using words such as and, but, nor, or yet.
Rule #1: Semicolons are used to link two independent clauses , or complete sentences, without adding connecting words.
My aunt also has a lab
she loves to take her on walks; .
This is an independent
clause. It could stand alone as
its own sentence.
This is an independent
clause. It could stand alone as
its own sentence.
Ex: My aunt’s lab is magnificent, but I have no desire to be a dog
owner.
A semicolon is NOT used here because there is a
conjunction (but). A comma is the correct punctuation here.
DO NOT use semicolon with a conjunction(Words like: and, but, or, nor, for, so yet)
Use a semicolon to link 2
independent clauses.
Semicolons only connect 2
independent clauses without any connecting
words.Semicolons
make the pause between two independent clauses less
distinct than a period.
RULE 1 RE-CAP
Click here to move on to the Rule 1 Quiz
Click here to review
Rule 1 again
Rule # 1 Quiz: Click the colored box next to your chosen answer
1. In which option below is the correct usage of a semicolon shown?
A. Dave went for a bike ride; and he rode for 40 miles.
B. Dave went for a bike ride; he rode for 40 miles.
C. Dave went for a bike ride, he rode 40 miles.
D. Dave went for a bike ride; as a result, he rode for 40 miles.
Choice A
Choice B
Choice C
Choice D
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.Remember:
Semicolons join 2 independent clauses without
any connecting words or phrases
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Congratulations! Great Job!
You answered the question correctly!
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Remember: You must use a semicolon to link independent clauses that do not have any connecting words.
*Use a comma only when there is a connecting word between the 2 independent clauses
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
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Oops! Your answer is incorrect.Remember:
Semicolons join 2 independent clauses without any connecting words or phrases.
Click Here to Try Again
Rule # 1 Quiz: Click the colored box next to your chosen answer
1. In which option below is the correct usage of a semicolon shown?
A. A draft of my first essay is due on Monday; I also need to read chapter 2 in the textbook.
B. A draft of my first essay is due on Monday; and I also need to read chapter 2 in the textbook.
C. A draft of my first essay is due on Monday and I also; need to read chapter 2 in the textbook.
D. A draft of my first essay is due on Monday, I also need to read chapter 2 in the textbook.
Choice A
Choice C
Choice B
Choice D
Congratulations! Great Job!You answered the question
correctly!
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I have only learned One Rule I have learned both semicolon rules
Click on the arrow of the rule you have not yet learned:
Click the arrow below to move on to the final semicolon review
Moving On….
Rule 1: Linking 2 independent clauses
Rule 2: Separating a series that contains commas already
Review
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.Remember:
Semicolons link two independent clauses without any connecting words.
Click here to try #2 again
Remember:
Each independent clause connected by the semicolon must stand alone as its own complete sentence.
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Click here to try #2 again
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.Remember:
A comma is not enough to connect two complete sentences if there is no connecting word. You must use a semicolon to connect two independent clauses with no connecting words.
Click here to try #2 again
Rule #2:
Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the items contain commas or added details.
Rule #2: Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the items contain commas or added details.
The pattern for this rule looks like this:
ItemItem Item
More
Info.
More
Info.
More
Info., , , ;
;
Example: The fans, cheering loudly; the band, playing a rousing march; and the cheerleaders turning cartwheels, helped inspire the team to play well.
Rule #2: Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the items contain commas or added details.
NOTE: There are several commas in this list with added descriptive details, so the semicolon helps avoid confusion and separates each item within the list.
Rule #2: Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the items contain commas or added details.
•Example: While searching for a good place to eat a burger, I traveled to Seattle, Washington; Tokyo, Japan; and London, England.
Use Rule 2 with
locations containing both the city and state or city and nation.
RULE 2 RE-CAPUse a semicolon to separate items in a list of complicated items
that already contain commas.This Rule Applies in:
Lists with added details
Lists that contain specific
location information (city and state or city
and nation)
Click here to move on to the Rule 2 Quiz
Click here to review Rule 1 again
Rule # 2 Quiz: Click the colored box next to your chosen answer
1. Choose the correctly punctuated list from the choices below:
A. On a Harley motorcycle, my grandmother and her poodle have traveled to Anchorage; Alaska, San Francisco; California, and Tijuana; Mexico.
B. On a Harley motorcycle, my grandmother and her poodle have traveled to Anchorage Alaska; San Francisco California; and Tijuana Mexico.
C. On a Harley motorcycle, my grandmother and her poodle have traveled to Anchorage, Alaska; San Francisco, California; and Tijuana, Mexico.
D. None of the above are correct.
Choice A
Choice B
Choice C
Choice D
Remember:
Commas always separate a city and state. In a list of multiple cities and states semicolons separate each entire place (both city and state or city and nation) in the list.
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
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Remember:You must still use a comma to
separate a city and state. Semicolons are used to separate
each whole place in the list if they have both a city and state or a city and nation.
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
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You Answered the Question Correctly!
Click Here to Move on to Question #2
Congratulations! Great Job!
Oops…
One of the choices is correct. Remember, semicolons help give clarity to a list with added details and punctuation.
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
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Rule # 2 Quiz: Click the colored box next to your chosen answer
1. Choose the correctly punctuated list from the choices below:
A. The first crew to land on the moon consisted of Neil Armstrong, who was the first person to walk on the moon; Edwin Aldrin, who accompanied Armstrong to the moon; and Michael Collins, who piloted the Columbia.
B. The first crew to land on the moon consisted of Neil Armstrong; who was the first person to walk on the moon, Edwin Aldrin; who accompanied Armstrong to the moon, and Michael Collins; who piloted the Columbia.
C. The first crew to land on the moon consisted of Neil Armstrong who was the first person to walk on the moon Edwin Aldrin who accompanied Armstrong to the moon and Michael Collins, who piloted the Columbia.
D. None of the above are correct.
Choice A
Choice B
Choice C
Choice D
You Answered the Question Correctly!
Congratulations! Great Job!
Click here to move on
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.Remember:
Semicolons separate items in a list with extra details. Commas separate the extra details from
the subjects they are describing.
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Oops! Your answer is incorrect.Remember:
A list of any kind must have punctuation to separate items in it. A list with extra details uses a
semicolon between each item.
Click here to try again
Oops! Your answer is incorrect.
Click here to try again
There is a correct choice. Remember, semicolons separate items in detailed lists.
Moving On…
Click HERE if you have gone through the tutorials for BOTH semicolon rules and are ready to review.
Click HERE if you need to learn about another rule.
Let’s Review
Click on the rule that you’d like to review.
Rule 1 Rule 2
Semicolon Rule Review
Rule #1:Use a semicolon when linking 2 independent clauses with no connecting words.
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Click here to move on to the assessment
; .Independent Clause Independent Clause
REMEMBER: INDEPENDENT CLAUSES CAN STAND ALONE AS THEIR OWN SENTENCES
Rule #2: Use a semicolon to avoid confusion when you have complicated lists of items.
Ex: The choir, singing beautifully; the flowers, tastefully lining the stage; and the thoughtfully written speeches made the graduation very special.
Semicolon Rule Review
Click here to select another Rule to Review
Click here to move on to the assessment
ItemItem Item
More
Info.
More
Info.
More
Info., , , ;
;
Show What You Know!
Click the link below to take the Semicolon Assessment. Click submit when finished.
Good Luck!
Semicolon Assessment