Punctuation: Semicolons and Colons - Exercises

A) I have already paid you therefore, I expect you to complete the project. B) I have already paid you; therefore, I expect you to complete the project. C) I have already paid you: therefore, I expect you to complete the project. Rule

(B) I have already paid you; therefore, I expect you to complete the project. Rule: Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out.

A) I need only three more license plates to complete my collection: Montana, Alaska, and Hawaii. B) I need only three more license plates to complete my collection; Montana, Alaska, and Hawaii. C) I need only three more license plates to complete my collection, Montana, Alaska, and Hawaii. Rule

(A) I need only three more license plates to complete my collection: Montana, Alaska, and Hawaii. Rule: Use the colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items when introductory words such as namely, for example, or that is do not appear.

A) Miguel enjoys writing about his travels; however, he rarely finishes one book before starting another. B) Miguel enjoys writing about his travels: however, he rarely finishes one book before starting another. C) Miguel enjoys writing about his travels however, he rarely finishes one book before starting another. Rule

(A) Miguel enjoys writing about his travels; however, he rarely finishes one book before starting another. Rule: It is preferable to use a semicolon before introductory words such as namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., or for instance when they introduce a complete sentence. It is also preferable to use a comma after the introductory word.

A) You will need to gather a number of moving supplies before the big day; e.g., boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap. B) You will need to gather a number of moving supplies before the big day: e.g., boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap. C) You will need to gather a number of moving supplies before the big day e.g., boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap. Rule

(A) You will need to gather a number of moving supplies before the big day; e.g., boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap. Rule: Use either a semicolon or a comma before introductory words such as namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., or for instance when they introduce a list following a complete sentence. Use a comma after the introductory word.

A) I really don't like peaches: I do like apricots though. B) I really don't like peaches; I do like apricots though. C) I really don't like peaches, I do like apricots though. A) You will need to gather a number of moving supplies before the big day; e.g., boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap. B) You will need to gather a number of moving supplies before the big day: e.g., boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap. C) You will need to gather a number of moving supplies before the big day e.g., boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap. Rule

(B) I really don't like peaches; I do like apricots though. Rule: Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out.

A) You asked for my advice, now you're telling me to mind my own business. B) You asked for my advice; now you're telling me to mind my own business. C) You asked for my advice: now you're telling me to mind my own business. Rule

(B) You asked for my advice; now you're telling me to mind my own business. Rule: Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out.

A) Come by my house tomorrow, I will give you the recipe then. B) Come by my house tomorrow: I will give you the recipe then. C) Come by my house tomorrow; I will give you the recipe then. Rule

(C) Come by my house tomorrow; I will give you the recipe then. Rule: Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out.

A) The following dog breeds are among my favorites, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Miniature Pinschers. B) The following dog breeds are among my favorites; Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Miniature Pinschers. C) The following dog breeds are among my favorites: Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Miniature Pinschers. Rule

(C) The following dog breeds are among my favorites: Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Miniature Pinschers. Rule: Use the colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items when introductory words such as namely, for example, or that is do not appear.

A) We've enjoyed living in this neighborhood; however we'll be moving to a different part of the city soon. B) We've enjoyed living in this neighborhood: however, we'll be moving to a different part of the city soon. C) We've enjoyed living in this neighborhood; however, we'll be moving to a different part of the city soon. Rule

(C) We've enjoyed living in this neighborhood; however, we'll be moving to a different part of the city soon. Rule: It is preferable to use a semicolon before introductory words such as namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., or for instance when they introduce a complete sentence. It is also preferable to use a comma after the introductory word.

A) I've lived in Austin Texas; Charlotte North Carolina; and Louisville Kentucky. B) I've lived in Austin, Texas, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Louisville, Kentucky. C) I've lived in Austin, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Louisville, Kentucky. Rule

C) I've lived in Austin, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Louisville, Kentucky. Rule: Use the semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas.