Semicolons
A semicolon connects two _________ clauses that are closely related in meaning.
A. Dependent
B. Independent
C. Complete
D. Non-Essential
B. Independent
An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that immediately follows another noun and ______ , clarifies, or explains it.
a. negates
b. renames
c. states
b. renames
If the appositive provides nonessential (extra) information, it must be set off by _______.
a. semicolons
b. colons
c. commas
c. commas
Where should the semicolon be placed?
The sun set quickly it was time to head inside.
The sun set quickly; it was time to head inside.
What is the appositive?
My brother, an avid reader, always finishes a novel in a single day.
The appositive phrase is "an avid reader." It renames the noun "brother."
Where should the commas be placed?
The Pacific Ocean the world's largest body of water covers nearly one-third of the planet.
The Pacific Ocean, the world's largest body of water, covers nearly one-third of the planet.
A. Reading is a wonderful hobby; however; not everyone enjoys it.
B. Reading is a wonderful hobby, however; not everyone enjoys it.
C. Reading is a wonderful hobby; however: not everyone enjoys it.
D. Reading is a wonderful hobby; however, not everyone enjoys it.
D. Reading is a wonderful hobby; however, not everyone enjoys it.
What is the appositive?
My best friend Kevin is coming to the party.
"Kevin"
No comma is needed. Since the appositive "Kevin" is essential to specify which best friend, it is nonrestrictive and not set off by commas.
Where should the comma(s) be placed?
A dedicated athlete the marathon runner crossed the finish line with a huge smile.
A dedicated athlete, the marathon runner crossed the finish line with a huge smile.
When a nonessential appositive begins a sentence, it is followed by a single comma to separate it from the main clause.
A. The company decided to open new offices in Paris, France, Berlin, Germany, and Rome, Italy.
B. The company decided to open new offices in Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; and Rome, Italy.
C. The company decided to open new offices in; Paris, France, Berlin, Germany, and Rome, Italy.
B. The company decided to open new offices in Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; and Rome, Italy.
Where do the commas go?
The Statue of Liberty a gift from France stands in New York Harbor.
The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, stands in New York Harbor.
Which noun is the appositive, "a brilliant inventor," renaming in the sentence below?
After years of hard work, Thomas Edison, a brilliant inventor, finally perfected the light bulb.
Thoma Edison
The appositive "a brilliant inventor" renames the noun "Thomas Edison."
At 1,377 meters, the Tsing Ma Bridge in China is one of the longest suspension bridges in the ______ the Golden Gate Bridge in the United States, at 1,280 meters, is even longer.
A. world but
B. world, but,
C. world,
D. world, but
D
This choice correctly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction "but" to join the first main clause ("At...world") and the second main clause ("the...longer").
Where should the semicolon and comma be placed?
The experiment failed twice but the scientist refused to give up the hypothesis was still sound.
The experiment failed twice, but the scientist refused to give up; the hypothesis was still sound.
A. George Washington the first President of the United States was a brilliant military leader.
B. George Washington, the first President of the United States, was a brilliant military leader.
C. George Washington, the first President, of the United States was a brilliant military leader.
D. George Washington, the first President of the United States was a brilliant military leader.
B. George Washington, the first President of the United States, was a brilliant military leader.
The appositive is nonessential because "George Washington" is already a specific person.
A. Have you ever seen the movie, The Matrix, the 1999 science fiction thriller?
B. Have you ever seen the movie The Matrix the 1999 science fiction thriller?
C. Have you ever seen the movie The Matrix, the 1999 science fiction thriller?
D. Have you ever seen the movie, The Matrix the 1999 science fiction thriller?
B. Have you ever seen the movie The Matrix the 1999 science fiction thriller?
Since there are many "movies," the appositive The Matrix is essential to specify which movie is being discussed.
Therefore, it is NOT set off by commas.
Digital artist Jung (Lulu) Chen primarily uses a suite of software tools to create illustrations for children’s books. To manifest the warm and welcoming atmospheres that are a signature of her ______ she occasionally relies on more traditional art techniques, such as painting with watercolors.
A. work, though,
B. work, though
C. work; though,
D. work, though;
A
The pair of commas indicates that this element could be removed without affecting the grammatical coherence of the sentence.