Semicolons
What is the main purpose of a semicolon?
To join two independent clauses without a conjunction.
What does a colon do in a sentence?
(Introduces a list, explanation, or quotation.)
What is an appositive phrase?
A noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it.
Name two common relative pronouns
Who, whom, whose, which, that.
What is a restrictive clause?
A clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence; no commas needed.
Fix this sentence: I have a big test tomorrow, I can't go out tonight.
I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.)
Insert a colon: I need three things from the store milk eggs and bread.
I need three things from the store: milk, eggs, and bread.
Identify the appositive: My teacher, a grammar expert, explained semicolons to us.
(a grammar expert)
Choose the correct relative pronoun: She is the teacher ___ inspired me. who/whom
who
True or False? A nonrestrictive clause needs commas.
(True)
True or False? A semicolon can be used before a coordinating conjunction like "and" or "but."
(False)
True or False? A colon can only be used before a list.
False; it can also introduce explanations and quotations.
True or False? Appositive phrases always need commas.
False; restrictive appositives don’t need commas.
What does a relative pronoun do?
Introduces a relative clause, giving more information about a noun.
Identify the restrictive clause: The students who studied passed the test.
(who studied)
Insert a semicolon where needed: I love coffee however I can’t drink it at night.
I love coffee; however, I can’t drink it at night.
Fix this sentence: She had one goal get an A on her exam.
She had one goal: get an A on her exam.
Add an appositive: My dog loves to run.
My dog, a playful golden retriever, loves to run.
Fix the sentence: The car that I bought it is blue.
The car that I bought is blue.
Rewrite correctly: The dog that is barking loudly needs to go outside.
No change; "that is barking loudly" is restrictive.
Correct this sentence using a semicolon: The sun was setting the sky turned orange and pink.
The sun was setting; the sky turned orange and pink.
Rewrite correctly: He gave me great advice "Always proofread your work."
He gave me great advice: "Always proofread your work."
Identify the appositive: The author Mark Twain wrote many famous novels.
The author Mark Twain wrote many famous novels.
Identify the relative clause: The book, which was on the table, is mine.
which was on the table
Identify the nonrestrictive clause: My brother, who lives in Texas, is visiting soon.
,who lives in Texas,