ACT Colons, Semi Colons, Dashes

I bought a lot of meat at the store: bacon, turkey, chicken, and tuna.

Correct. Colons can be used to set off a list. In this instance, think of colons as saying, "Here's what I mean."

You know what to do: practice.

Correct. Use a colon to introduce an item or a series of items. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon (unless it's a proper noun).

While I was in Ireland, I had heaven in a cup: a Cadbury "Flake" bar in vanilla ice cream.

Correct. You can use a colon after a complete sentence to expand on what you're talking about.

- is this a hyphen or a dash?

hypen

The three things you need to remember are: stand tall, speak loudly, run like hell.

Incorrect. Only use a colon after a complete sentence/ independent clause

You can order a sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheese; ham, egg, tomato, and cheese; or tomato, lettuce, and avocado.

Correct. Semi colons stand in for commas in lists when commas alone would be confusing. Without the semi colons it would be confusing ...You can order a sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheese, ham, egg, tomato, and cheese, or tomato, lettuce, and avocado.

Well, it's like Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: "I hate quotations."

Correct. You can use a colon to introduce a quotation. But this is also correct... Well, it's like Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "I hate quotations."

Here are three states that begin with M: Michigan, Mississippi, and Maine.

Correct.

This is a Remington typewriter; all the keys are intact.

Correct.

With educated people, I suppose, punctuation is a matter of rule; with me it is a matter of feeling.

Correct. Use a semicolon to separate two closely related independent clauses When I say "closely related," I mean that they clearly belong as part of the same thought. The two sentences are grammatically complete, but make much more sense when joined together.

Pac-Man, at its core, is a game about consuming food pellets and pieces of fruit while trying to outrun beings who are out to destroy you—sounds like a typical day in high school to me!

Correct. Use an em dash to indicate a change in thought or a humorous or dramatic addition to the sentence.

The main character in the movie said: "Play hard. Work harder."

Correct. Colons can also be used to introduce a quotation of someone else's words. Typically, there will be some sort of introduction to those words.

This was first said by Shakespeare: "To thine own self be true."

Correct. Colons can also be used to introduce a quotation of someone else's words. Typically, there will be some sort of introduction to those words.

We knew who would win the game: the Eagles.

Correct. Colons can be used to set off a list. In this instance, think of colons as saying, "Here's what I mean."

Michelle drives a Jaguar; Sonya drives a Porsche.

Correct. Semi colons are to be used when you're dealing with two complete thoughts that could stand alone as a sentence. Why not use a period, then? Semicolons represent two closely linked independent clauses.

Dad is going bald; his hair is getting thinner and thinner.

Correct. Semi colons are to be used when you're dealing with two complete thoughts that could stand alone as a sentence. Why not use a period, then? Semicolons represent two closely linked independent clauses. If one or both of the clauses isn't complete, consider using a colon instead.

Let's go to Woof Gang Bakery; they sell the yummiest dog treats.

Correct. Semi colons are to be used when you're dealing with two complete thoughts that could stand alone as a sentence. Why not use a period, then? Semicolons represent two closely linked independent clauses. If one or both of the clauses isn't complete, consider using a colon instead.

As far as travel through the United States, I've visited Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco, California.

Correct. Semi colons stand in for commas in lists when commas alone would be confusing. Without the semi colons it would be confusing ... As far as travel through the United States, I've visited Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco, California.

I want the following items: butter, sugar, and flour.

Correct. Use a colon to introduce an item or a series of items. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon (unless it's a proper noun).

I want an assistant who can do the following: -input data -write reports -complete tax forms

Correct. Use a colon to list things.

I have a meeting with Donna Jones, the school principal; Ms. Hawkins, my daughter's English teacher; and Jim Jackman, the volleyball coach.

Correct. Use a semicolon to separate items in a list that already contains commas. In this example, the narrator is meeting with three people. If I hadn't used semicolons, you might think the narrator was meeting five people.

Critics of the Pokémon video game franchise—also known as people who have no fun—say that each game in the series feels exactly the same.

Correct. Use an em dash to show a change in flow in the middle of a sentence. Here, a pair of em dashes set off additional information in the same way commas or parentheses would. You could also use commas but this is supposed to give more emphasis. NOTE: The difference here is style only, so you won't have a question on the ACT that will ask you to choose from among dashes, commas, or parentheses. You may be asked to make sure that they are used in pairs or that the additional information really needs to be separated from the rest of the sentence.)

I need an assistant who can do the following; input data, write reports, and complete tax forms.

Incorrect. It needs a colon. Use a colon to introduce an item or a series of items. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon (unless it's a proper noun).

You may be required to bring many things, sleeping bags, pans, utensils, and warm clothing.

Incorrect. It needs a colon. Use a colon to introduce an item or a series of items. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon (unless it's a proper noun).

She didn't see the other car coming: now her car has a huge dent.

Incorrect. Semi colons are to be used when you're dealing with two complete thoughts that could stand alone as a sentence.

You should stop eating so much food: you will have to go on a diet.

Incorrect. Semi colons are to be used when you're dealing with two complete thoughts that could stand alone as a sentence.

I have three things on my to-do list for this summer; sitting, loafing, and goofing off.

Incorrect. Should be a colon : You use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a series of items.

I have a meeting with Donna Jones, the school principal, Ms. Hawkins, my daughter's English teacher, and Jim Jackman, the volleyball coach.

Incorrect. This needs a semi-colon or it sounds like they are meeting with 5 people instead of three.

Diana Gabaldon says this prayer before writing; "Help me see what I need to see."

Incorrect. You need a colon.

Mrs. Morris preaches this concept, "Second place is first loser."

Incorrect. You need a colon. If it were... Mrs. Morris said, "Second place is first loser." then it would be correct.

There are two choices at this time; run away or fight.

Incorrect. You need a colon. Semicolons (;) are used to join two independent clauses, or two complete thoughts that could stand alone as complete sentences.

The host made an announcement; "You are all staying for dinner."

Incorrect. You need either a colon or a comma. Colons (:) are used in sentences to show that something is following, like a quotation, example, or list.

-- is this a hyphen or a dash?

dash